‘Small Figures’
COLLECTION FOCUS
Sep 2023 -
Aug 2025
![A ceramic sculpture of a headless, armless figure on a green sofa. Liu Jianhua / China b.1962 / Obsessive memories (detail) 2000 / Porcelain, modelled and with overglaze colours, incised / Purchased 2004. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © Jianhua Liu](/index.php/system/files/styles/wide/private/2024-01/2004.125_001.jpg?itok=x-6fcP8T)
Over the past two years (2021–23), the Collection Online team have photographed thousands of artworks as part of the Gallery’s Digital Transformation Initiative (DTI). This project has allowed our dedicated conservators, collection managers and photographers to delve deep into Collection storage to uncover and care for artworks not displayed in decades.
The DTI has been supported by many generous individuals through donation to our Foundation. Here, we acknowledge the hundreds of donors to QAGOMA’s ‘Unlock the Collection’ campaign, which makes our artworks more accessible and discoverable online — and in detail never seen before.
The Collection Online project allows us to share anew the Gallery’s diverse range of artworks. In ‘Small Figures’, you’ll discover some of the works we have recently prepared for photography, and some of the works that just made us smile. From small figures to tiny frogs, this display represents a sample of our teams’ favourite recent finds — the weird and whimsical, the cute and curious.
‘Small Figures’ is on display in QAG’s Pelican Lounge from 20 Sep 2023 to 17 Aug 2025. As this is a rotating display, not all Collection works below will be on display simultaneously.
Feature image: Liu Jianhua / China b.1962 / Obsessive memories 2000 / Purchased 2004. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © Jianhua Liu
Collection artworks featured in ‘Small Figures’
![Artwork Wine mug: Bruce this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled with grape leaf, fruit and tendrils, the branch forming the handle. Glazed mulberry and green over brown, created in 1937-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.174.002_23-03_0.jpg?itok=CofZRpwu)
Wine mug: Bruce 1937
- BOTT, Nell - Creator
![Artwork Wine mug: David this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled with grape leaf, fruit and tendrils, the branch forming the handle. Glazed mulberry and green over brown, created in 1937-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.174.001_23-02_0.jpg?itok=2p1DRFSR)
Wine mug: David 1937
- BOTT, Nell - Creator
![Artwork Figurine: Goatherd this artwork made of Soft-paste porcelain with polychrome enamels and gilt details, created in 1769-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/4-0687_002_0.jpg?itok=XKb3eHxe)
Figurine: Goatherd c.1769-75
- CHELSEA-DERBY - Creator
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Plate: (wax lipped orchids) 1953
- DARLING, Mary - Decorator
- BARRATS OF STAFFORDSHIRE LTD - Manufacturer
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Plate 1948
- COOPER, Carl - Creator
![Artwork Ornament: Playgoers this artwork made of Stoneware, modelled as a group of three mice watching a Punch and Judy show and flanked by a musician and coin collector. Salt glazed, created in 1884-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/4-0129_003_0.jpg?itok=-1FsPL0o)
Ornament: Playgoers c.1884-86
- DOULTON & CO (Lambeth) - Manufacturer
- TINWORTH, George - Modeller
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Dish: Triangle c.1980-81
- KEMP, Bronwyn - Creator
![© QAGOMA Artwork Sculpture: Invader this artwork made of Stoneware and porcelain clays with commercial coloured body stains inlaid glazed and fired in an oxidising gas kiln to 1250-1280 degrees Celsius, created in 1980-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/4-0577_001_0.jpg?itok=m5ca5CAW)
Sculpture: Invader c.1980-81
- KEMP, Bronwyn - Creator
![QAGOMA Artwork Down the chute this artwork made of Bronze, created in 1978-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1-1610a-b_001_1.jpg?itok=UJIGsGc4)
Down the chute 1978
- KOSSATZ, Les - Creator
![© Jianhua Liu Artwork Obsessive memories this artwork made of Porcelain, modelled and with overglaze colours, incised, created in 2002-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2004.124_001_4.jpg?itok=Jmk7LXW3)
Obsessive memories 2002
- Liu Jianhua - Creator
![© Jianhua Liu Artwork Obsessive memories this artwork made of Porcelain, modelled and with overglaze colours, incised, created in 2000-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2004.125_001_4.jpg?itok=iU-gd5kn)
Obsessive memories 2000
- Liu Jianhua - Creator
![© QAGOMA Artwork Sculpture: Housebound this artwork made of Stoneware, modelled and carved in the form of a tortoise with an elaborate house on its back, created in 1982-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/4-0909_001_0.jpg?itok=xqmVlEJr)
Sculpture: Housebound 1982
- JOHANSEN, Midge - Creator
![Artwork Sculpture: The tailor on the he-goat this artwork made of Porcelain, hard-paste moulded and assembled with polychrome colours over a clear glaze, created in 1737-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1996.123_001_4.jpg?itok=933X-htd)
Sculpture: The tailor on the he-goat 1737, cast c.1850
- KAENDLER, J.J. - Modeller
- MEISSEN - Manufacturer
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Pink sailor 2005
- MARRINON, Linda - Creator
![Scott Redford/Copyright Agency Artwork My beautiful pink polar bears this artwork made of Ceramic, created in 2005-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2009.167a-j_001_0.jpg?itok=0_SCCyLt)
My beautiful pink polar bears 2005
- REDFORD, Scott - Artist
- LITTLER, Michael - Collaborating artist
![Artwork Figure of a goose this artwork made of Porcelain, sancai-style glaze, created in 1900-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2012.019_004_0.jpg?itok=hs2eGTU-)
Figure of a goose 20th century
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Childhood dreams 1930s
- HARVEY, L.J. - Creator
![Artwork Jackie tobacco this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled kookaburra, with detachable head, on pedestal, in the style of Martin Bros, England. Glazed naturalistic colours and integral carved wood base, created in 1925-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.103a-b_001_5.jpg?itok=HC5leGUw)
Jackie tobacco c.1930
- HARVEY, L.J. - Creator
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Cheese dish and cover 1925
- HARVEY, L.J. - Creator
![Artwork Figurine: Bonzo - A corker this artwork made of Earthenware, press moulded in the form of a seated dog with brown glaze splashed over green and yellow, created in 1920-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.118_001_5.jpg?itok=9EykMuKs)
Figurine: Bonzo - A corker 1920s
- HARVEY, L.J. - Creator
![© QAGOMA Artwork Rhinoceros head this artwork made of Bronze, glass, timber and metal, created in 1976-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/2023-09/1-1565_23-09_AM.jpg?itok=YcwlrSBJ)
Rhinoceros head c.1977
- ELENBERG, Joel - Creator
![Artwork Inkwell this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled in the form of a hollow log with an owl (in mixed clay) and bush creatures. Inlaid with 'INK' and glazed green, created in 1920-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2017.111_009_1.jpg?itok=PQHI1ds_)
Inkwell 1920
- HARVEY, L.J. - Creator
![Judith Pungkarta Inkamala/Copyright Agency Artwork Pink galahs at Imarlkna this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built terracotta clay with underglaze colours and applied decoration, created in 2006-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2018.130a-b_001_0.jpg?itok=MM-Qs-7T)
Pink galahs at Imarlkna 2006
- HERMANNSBURG POTTERS - Pottery workshop
- INKAMALA, Judith Pungkarta - Potter
![Artwork Pair of figurines this artwork made of Porcelain (bisque) slip-cast with elaborately costumed figures of a male and female, created in 1870-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/4-0199.001-2_001.jpg?itok=G9PY0amM)
Pair of figurines c.1870-80
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![Artwork Pair of ewers: Earth and air this artwork made of Hard-paste porcelain elaborately modelled with figures, foliage, animals, birds, etc. after scenes in classic mythology. Polychrome enamel and gilt, created in 1840-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/4-0213.001-2_001_4.jpg?itok=kU9C0Wlf)
Pair of ewers: Earth and air c.1850s
- MEISSEN - Manufacturer
- KAENDLER, after J.J. - Modeller
![Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online](/sites/default/files/styles/large/filesqagoma/assets/image-pending.jpg?itok=SDhxQrcw)
Coat: Celebration 1981
- HOLLIST, Wilma - Creator
![Artwork Lozenge-shaped dish: (pair of wolves) this artwork made of Soft-paste porcelain, slip-cast scrolled shape with basket weave design, brown and green overglaze, edged with gilt dentil, created in 1768-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1996.053_001_4.jpg?itok=ySyW-_uf)
Lozenge-shaped dish: (pair of wolves) c.1770
- DR WALL (WORCESTER) - Manufacturer
- O'NEALE, Jefferyes Hamett - Decorator
![Artwork Saucer this artwork made of Hard-paste porcelain decorated in green, brown, black and blue, created in 1850-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-05/4-1105_001.jpg?itok=mpbsFRAe)
Saucer c.1850-1900
- UNKNOWN - Creator
![© QAGOMA Artwork Ornament: Sleeping baby this artwork made of Porcelain, modelled and glazed and painted with polychrome overglaze colours, created in 1981-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/4-0571_001_4.jpg?itok=Mm-VeR3l)
Ornament: Sleeping baby 1981
- OLAH, Elizabeth - Creator
![© QAGOMA Artwork Sculpture: Bella casa this artwork made of Stoneware, slab built and modelled with overglaze colours and lustres with aluminium, shells, coral and framed prints, created in 1978-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/4-0546a-d_001_detail_4.jpg?itok=ZPWI5bjf)
Sculpture: Bella casa 1978-79
- TAYLOR, Sandra - Creator
![© QAGOMA Artwork Fan this artwork made of Porcelain clay (David Leach) slab rolled, incised and bisque fired to 9500C, surfaces refined and fired unassembled to 12800C, created in 1981-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/4-0569_002.jpg?itok=MekrHF3w)
Fan 1981
- PEACH, Dianne - Creator
![© QAGOMA Artwork Ornament: Triangle this artwork made of Porcelain clay (David Leach and Cesco) slab rolled and scraped thinner incised and cut and prism cast and slit. Both bisque fired to 9500C. Surfaces sanded and fired unassembled to 12800C over a 12 hour firing cycle, created in 1981-01-01](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/4-0567_002_0.jpg?itok=uefQ8-T2)
Ornament: Triangle 1981
- PEACH, Dianne - Creator
Related digital stories
![© QAGOMA](/index.php/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/4-0909_001_0.jpg?itok=xqmVlEJr)