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'Contraptions'
COLLECTION DISPLAY
Oct 2025 - Feb 2026

TROMARAMA / Indonesia est. 2004 / Wattt?! (still) 2010 / Single-channel stop motion video animation: 5:48 minutes, colour, sound / Music: Kulan / Purchased 2011. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © Tromarama

‘Contraptions’ considers how artists use machines for play, experimentation, and hands-on exploration of ideas. Whilst digital production dominates the landscape in the everyday, many artists are still entranced by the mechanical qualities of contraptions and the analogue nature of their often hand-made forms.

The selected works examine humanity’s relationship with technology by using elements of whimsy and absurdity to conjure unexpected encounters that enhance our perception of the world around us.


'Contraptions' is on display from October 2025 to February 2026 in Gallery 2.1, GOMA. To make the most of your visit, check the exhibition dates, get information on getting here and parking, and find out about Gallery accessibility.

Feature image: TROMARAMA / Indonesia est. 2004 / Wattt?! (still) 2010 / Single-channel stop motion video animation: 5:48 minutes, colour, sound / Music: Kulan / Purchased 2011. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © Tromarama

Collection artworks featured in 'Contraptions'

Artwork Untitled Cascade this artwork made of Tinsel, domestic fan, created in 2012-01-01

Untitled Cascade 2012

Artwork 10 thoughts this artwork made of Mixed media, created in 2002-01-01

10 thoughts 2002

Artwork Work no. 189 this artwork made of 39 metronomes beating time, one at every speed, created in 1998-01-01

Work no. 189 1998

Artwork Large Ulam VLF Loop (graphite) this artwork made of Graphite, stencil, mixer, created in 2011-01-01

Large Ulam VLF Loop (graphite) 2011

Artwork Performances II (from 'Rebecca Horn Films' 2003) this artwork made of 16mm transferred to DVD: 36 minutes, colour, sound, created in 1973-01-01

Performances II (from 'Rebecca Horn Films' 2003) 1973

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Music box 1974-75

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Untitled 1995-96

Artwork No. 247 Metal construction this artwork made of Welded and brazed steel, found objects, wood, created in 1965-01-01

No. 247 Metal construction 1965-68

Artwork Static electricity of cat's cradle this artwork made of HD video: 16:9, 11:30 minutes, colour, stereo, created in 2007-01-01

Static electricity of cat's cradle 2007

Artwork "GREEN SINGER: (SOME LOCUSTS) SIXTY SIX FROG POEMS". ROBERT PENE 1947 this artwork made of Graphite, ink and stain on paper, created in 2014-01-01

"GREEN SINGER: (SOME LOCUSTS) SIXTY SIX FROG POEMS". ROBERT PENE 1947 2014

Artwork Waltz of the machine equestrian this artwork made of Single-channel video: 3 minutes, colour, stereo, created in 2012-01-01

Waltz of the machine equestrian 2012

Artwork From Dreamtime 2 Machinetime this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1979-01-01

From Dreamtime 2 Machinetime 1979

Artwork Domestication this artwork made of Single-channel HD video: 10:15 minutes, colour, stereo, created in 2014-01-01

Domestication 2014

Artwork A stronger spring for David: toas for a modern age this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on electrical conduit and PVC tubing with wooden bases, a spring, a ball, feathers, string, found objects and sand, created in 1994-01-01

A stronger spring for David: toas for a modern age 1994

Artwork Aerosol Fosters this artwork made of Aluminium and plastic on wooden presentation box, created in 2009-01-01

Aerosol Fosters 2009

Artwork Double cigarette this artwork made of Tobacco paper on wooden presentation box, created in 2008-01-01

Double cigarette 2008

Artwork Double pencil this artwork made of Painted wood and graphite on wooden presentation box, created in 2008-01-01

Double pencil 2008

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Semiotics of the kitchen 1975

Artwork Adaptable (red/blue) this artwork made of Synthetic polymer paint on aircraft plywood, created in 2008-01-01

Adaptable (red/blue) 2008

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Untitled c.1960s

Artwork Wattt?! this artwork made of Single-channel stop motion video animation: 5:48 minutes, colour, sound Music: Kulan, created in 2010-01-01

Wattt?! 2010

Artwork Robert Klippel, Sydney I this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1968-01-01

Robert Klippel, Sydney I 1968, printed 2006

Artwork Untitled this artwork made of Single pack epoxy on marine plywood, created in 1968-01-01

Untitled 1968

Artwork One minute sculptures this artwork made of DVD: 47 minutes, colour, stereo, created in 1997-01-01

One minute sculptures 1997

Artwork Kinetic construction this artwork made of Plastic and painted metal

Kinetic construction

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Contraptions

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