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'Worlds within Worlds'
Baroque Traditions, Contemporary Visions
Mar 2026 - Aug 2026

Zilvinas Kempinas / Columns 2006 / Magnetic tape, painted wood panels and nails / Purchased 2012 with funds from Tim Fairfax AM through the QAG Foundation / © Zilvinas Kempinas / Photograph: N Harth, QAGOMA

‘Worlds within Worlds’ explores how the symbolic and stylistic features of art from the Baroque period (around 1600–1750) have been invoked by contemporary artists, who — like their predecessors of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries — are reflecting on a world in flux.

These works suggest parallels between Baroque and contemporary artists in their desire to interrogate structures of religion and power, the changing relationship between humans and nature, and ideas of decay and destruction.

'Worlds within Worlds: Baroque Traditions, Contemporary Visions' is on display from March to August 2026 in Gallery 4, QAG. 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: Žilvinas Kempinas / Columns 2006 / Magnetic tape, painted wood panels and nails / Purchased 2012 with funds from Tim Fairfax AM through the QAG Foundation / © Zilvinas Kempinas / Photograph: N Harth, QAGOMA

WORLDS WITHIN WORLDS

Explore the story

This photograph captures a view of a salon-style installation of photographs, with very small works hung at the far edges and the largest works hung in the middle. In the foreground, columns made of tape from inside VHS cassettes appear both monumental and transparent. Multiple artists are represented; however, each photograph included has dramatic, Baroque elements in its composition.
WORLDS WITHIN WORLDS

Baroque symbolism, drama and divinity

Read DIDACTIC

Collection artworks featured in 'Worlds within Worlds'

Artwork Midway Beach, Gisborne, 13 May 1986 this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper on mount board, created in 1986-01-01

Midway Beach, Gisborne, 13 May 1986 1986, printed 1994

Artwork African lion (Panthera leo) (from 'Saved by science' series) this artwork made of Digital colour print on Fuji Crystal Archive Matte paper, created in 2004-01-01

African lion (Panthera leo) (from 'Saved by science' series) 2004

Artwork Trophies (from 'Saved by science' series) this artwork made of Digital colour print on Fuji Crystal Archive Matte paper, created in 2004-01-01

Trophies (from 'Saved by science' series) 2004

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

Mirror studies 1970-76

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

Mirror studies 1970-76

Artwork Unmade bed this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1957-01-01

Unmade bed 1957

Artwork Meme for a Slave who Dreams like an Aristocrat [U235 Dreaming]: A Frenzy of Profit Taking this artwork made of Graphite on paper, created in 2005-01-01

Meme for a Slave who Dreams like an Aristocrat [U235 Dreaming]: A Frenzy of Profit Taking 2005

Artwork Rydalmere vertical I-IV (from 'Longer than life' series) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 1997-01-01

Rydalmere vertical I-IV (from 'Longer than life' series) 1997

Artwork Untitled this artwork made of Archival inkjet pigment print on paper, created in 2008-01-01

Untitled 2008-09

Artwork Untitled this artwork made of Archival inkjet pigment print on paper, created in 2008-01-01

Untitled 2008-09

Artwork Westport (Curtains) (from 'The Homely' series 1997-2000) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper mounted on foam board, created in 2000-01-01

Westport (Curtains) (from 'The Homely' series 1997-2000) 2000

Artwork Wellington (Cross) (from 'The Homely' series 1997-2000) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper mounted on foam board, created in 1999-01-01

Wellington (Cross) (from 'The Homely' series 1997-2000) 1999

Artwork Columns this artwork made of Magnetic tape, painted wood panels and nails, created in 2006-01-01

Columns 2006

Artwork Siva in Motion this artwork made of Single-channel HD video: 8:14 minutes, looped, colour, silent, created in 2012-01-01

Siva in Motion 2012

Artwork The Earth is an hourglass this artwork made of Single-channel 4K video: 38:33 minutes, colour, 16:9, created in 2024-01-01

The Earth is an hourglass 2024

Artwork Dead Bee Portrait #3 this artwork made of Pigment on archival paper, created in 2015-01-01

Dead Bee Portrait #3 2015, printed 2018

Artwork Dead Bee Portrait #7 this artwork made of Pigment on archival paper, created in 2015-01-01

Dead Bee Portrait #7 2015, printed 2018

Artwork Untitled (A sister lies in front of the altar) (from 'In the presence of angels - photographs of the contemplative life' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1988-01-01

Untitled (A sister lies in front of the altar) (from 'In the presence of angels - photographs of the contemplative life' series) 1988-90, printed 1993

Artwork Untitled (A statue of Saint Michael the Archangel) (from 'In the presence of angels - photographs of the contemplative life' series) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1988-01-01

Untitled (A statue of Saint Michael the Archangel) (from 'In the presence of angels - photographs of the contemplative life' series) 1988-90, printed 1993

Artwork The stags this artwork made of Fibreglass, automotive paint, leather, steel, plastic, tyres, created in 2008-01-01

The stags 2008

Artwork Cristo risorgente (The risen Christ) this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1550-01-01

Cristo risorgente (The risen Christ) c.1555

Artwork (Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) this artwork made of Black and white digital photograph on paper, created in 1990-01-01

(Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) 1990-2009

Artwork (Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) this artwork made of Black and white digital photograph on paper, created in 1990-01-01

(Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) 1990-2009

Artwork (Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) this artwork made of Black and white digital photograph on paper, created in 1990-01-01

(Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) 1990-2009

Artwork (Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) this artwork made of Black and white digital photograph on paper, created in 1990-01-01

(Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) 1990-2009

Artwork (Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) this artwork made of Black and white digital photograph on paper, created in 1990-01-01

(Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) 1990-2009

Artwork (Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) this artwork made of Black and white digital photograph on paper, created in 1990-01-01

(Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) 1990-2009

Artwork (Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) this artwork made of Black and white digital photograph on paper, created in 1990-01-01

(Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) 1990-2009

Artwork (Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) this artwork made of Black and white digital photograph on paper, created in 1990-01-01

(Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) 1990-2009

Artwork (Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) this artwork made of Black and white digital photograph on paper, created in 1990-01-01

(Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) 1990-2009

Artwork (Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) this artwork made of Black and white digital photograph on paper, created in 1990-01-01

(Untitled) (from 'Everything will fall into ruin' series) 1990-2009

Artwork Seven character quatrain this artwork made of Digital Betacam (PAL): 2:31 minutes, three channel, colour, stereo, created in 2007-01-01

Seven character quatrain 2007

Related digital stories

In this towering, two-metre-tall oil painting, Tintoretto depicts Christ rising from the grave, illuminated by a rising sun. Christ carries a red-and-white banner in his left hand, while his right hand delivers a gesture of blessing or benediction to the awakening soldier positioned below. In its original church setting – likely as an altarpiece placed high above churchgoers – the foreshortened figure of Christ would have delivered an even more dramatic sense of the miracle of life defeating death.
WORLDS WITHIN WORLDS

Introducing 'Worlds within Worlds'

Read DIDACTIC
WORLDS WITHIN WORLDS

Explore the Baroque in 'Worlds within Worlds'

Read
This photograph captures a view of a salon-style installation of photographs, with very small works hung at the far edges and the largest works hung in the middle. In the foreground, columns made of tape from inside VHS cassettes appear both monumental and transparent. Multiple artists are represented; however, each photograph included has dramatic, Baroque elements in its composition.
WORLDS WITHIN WORLDS

Baroque symbolism, drama and divinity

Read DIDACTIC
In this towering, two-metre-tall oil painting, Tintoretto depicts Christ rising from the grave, illuminated by a rising sun. Christ carries a red-and-white banner in his left hand, while his right hand delivers a gesture of blessing or benediction to the awakening soldier positioned below. In its original church setting – likely as an altarpiece placed high above churchgoers – the foreshortened figure of Christ would have delivered an even more dramatic sense of the miracle of life defeating death.
LABEL

Baroque traditions: Tintoretto

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The Earth is an Hourglass
WORLDS WITHIN WORLDS

Worlds within Worlds

Read ESSAY