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'Under a Modern Sun'
Art in Queensland 1930s–1950s
Aug 2025 - Jan 2026

Works installed for 'Under a Modern Sun', Gallery 4, QAG, August 2025 / © The artists / Photograph: N Umek, QAGOMA

'Under a Modern Sun: Art in Queensland 1930s–1950s' showcases the work of Queensland artists and those working in the state in the middle decades of the twentieth century. The display includes artworks by renowned Brisbane-based painters Vida Lahey and William Bustard and luminaries from the regions, including Kenneth Macqueen and Joe Rootsey. The exhibition explores connections between these artists and others — such as Sidney Nolan and Max Dupain — who travelled to Queensland to explore its histories and subject matter and, in doing so, contributed to the development of a modernist sensibility here.

The exhibition foregrounds the important role that women artists such as Lahey and Daphne Mayo played in fostering artistic practice in the state. Their work features alongside artworks by their peers Gwendolyn Grant, Rose Simmonds and women ceramicists associated with the Harvey School.

A later group of paintings by Margaret Olley, Margaret Cilento, and Jon Molvig points to the more expressive directions that art in Queensland followed in subsequent decades.


'Under a Modern Sun: Art in Queensland 1930s–1950s' is on display from August 2025 to January 2026 in Gallery 4 at 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. ‘Under a Modern Sun’ is accompanied by an exhibition catalogue supported by Publication Sponsor the Gordon Darling Foundation.

Feature image: Works installed for 'Under a Modern Sun', Gallery 4, QAG, August 2025 / © The artists / Photograph: N Umek, QAGOMA

Collection artworks featured in 'Under a Modern Sun'

Artwork Thursday Island pub this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper mounted on cardboard, created in 1943-01-01

Thursday Island pub 1943

Artwork Beach scene, Thursday Island this artwork made of Watercolour on wove paper, created in 1944-01-01

Beach scene, Thursday Island 1944

Artwork Textile samples: Great Barrier Reef this artwork made of Commercially printed cotton cloth, created in 1955-01-01

Textile samples: Great Barrier Reef c.1956

Artwork Fruit bowl this artwork made of Earthenware, hand built with low in-curving sides modelled with three grotesque masks which terminate in a foot. Glazed green and blue, created in 1931-01-01

Fruit bowl 1931

Artwork (Bow of a ship, the 'Manoora') this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1935-01-01

(Bow of a ship, the 'Manoora') c.1940s

Artwork Sports deck this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1935-01-01

Sports deck c.1940s

Artwork Interior view, Spring Hill Brisbane this artwork made of Oil and enamel on board, created in 1951-01-01

Interior view, Spring Hill Brisbane 1951

Artwork (Self-portrait in front of a boarding house, Spring Hill) this artwork made of Oil and enamel on cardboard, created in 1951-01-01

(Self-portrait in front of a boarding house, Spring Hill) 1951

Artwork Back of houses, Spring Hill this artwork made of Oil on composition board

Back of houses, Spring Hill c.1945

Artwork Royal Exchange Hotel this artwork made of Oil on composition board, created in 1948-01-01

Royal Exchange Hotel 1948

Artwork (Brisbane River, Indooroopilly) this artwork made of Oil on board, created in 1940-01-01

(Brisbane River, Indooroopilly) c.1940s

Artwork Castle Hill, Townsville, from the North Shore this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1945-01-01

Castle Hill, Townsville, from the North Shore 1945

Artwork (Darling Downs landscape) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1930-01-01

(Darling Downs landscape) c.1930s

Artwork The barn this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1939-01-01

The barn 1939

Artwork (Farm landscape) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1930-01-01

(Farm landscape) c.1930s

Artwork Brisbane townscape this artwork made of Oil on board, created in 1928-01-01

Brisbane townscape 1928

Artwork (Brisbane River, view to Graceville church) this artwork made of Oil on board, created in 1940-01-01

(Brisbane River, view to Graceville church) c.1940s

Artwork Summer haze this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1937-01-01

Summer haze 1937

Artwork Coffeepot this artwork made of Earthenware, hand and slab built with carved and floral motifs under dark blue/green glaze, created in 1935-01-01

Coffeepot c.1935-40

Artwork Cairns Inlet from the wharf this artwork made of Bromoil photograph on paper, created in 1930-01-01

Cairns Inlet from the wharf c.1930s

Artwork House at Annerley Junction this artwork made of Gouache on paper, created in 1951-01-01

House at Annerley Junction 1951

Artwork Boys in the sun this artwork made of Gouache on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1952-01-01

Boys in the sun 1952

Artwork Study for 'Street in Spring Hill' this artwork made of Gouache on paper, created in 1953-01-01

Study for 'Street in Spring Hill' 1953

Artwork The immigrants this artwork made of Oil on board, created in 1951-01-01

The immigrants 1951, reworked 1952

Artwork Cape York town this artwork made of Oil on board, created in 1949-01-01

Cape York town c.1949-55

Artwork A Queensland country scene this artwork made of Oil on composition board, created in 1949-01-01

A Queensland country scene c.1949-55

Artwork Out to win this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1934-01-01

Out to win 1934

Artwork Hippodrome this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1933-01-01

Hippodrome 1933

Artwork An appointment this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1933-01-01

An appointment 1933

Artwork Flame of Aladdin this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1942-01-01

Flame of Aladdin c.1942

Artwork Smoko this artwork made of Oil on canvas on composition board, created in 1939-01-01

Smoko 1939

Artwork Inlaid vase this artwork made of Earthenware slab and hand built, inlaid on the top surface with a design of palmetts and moth motifs in stained clay. Glazed cobalt blue, created in 1930-01-01

Inlaid vase c.1930

Artwork Pearce children off to school on bikes, Burdekin District, Queensland this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1950-01-01

Pearce children off to school on bikes, Burdekin District, Queensland c.1950s, printed 1987

Artwork Sugar mill, unidentified, North Queensland this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1950-01-01

Sugar mill, unidentified, North Queensland c.1950s, printed 1987

Artwork Sugar cane, Queensland, September this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1952-01-01

Sugar cane, Queensland, September 1952, printed 1987

Artwork Anzac Square this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1940-01-01

Anzac Square c.1940-45, printed 1992

Artwork John Mills National this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1940-01-01

John Mills National c.1940s, printed 1992

Artwork Late afternoon in the dunes (Point Lookout, Stradbroke Island) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1938-01-01

Late afternoon in the dunes (Point Lookout, Stradbroke Island) c.1943

Artwork The bridge approach (Grey Street Bridge, Brisbane) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1930-01-01

The bridge approach (Grey Street Bridge, Brisbane) c.1935

Artwork Under the bridge (Grey Street Bridge, Brisbane) this artwork made of Bromoil photograph on paper, created in 1928-01-01

Under the bridge (Grey Street Bridge, Brisbane) c.1933

Artwork Queensland landscape this artwork made of Oil on board

Queensland landscape c.1931-32

Artwork Mount Nebo no 2 this artwork made of Oil on board

Mount Nebo no 2 c.1931-32

Artwork Winter sunshine this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1939-01-01

Winter sunshine 1939

Artwork Seated in sunlight this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1945-01-01

Seated in sunlight c.1945-50

Artwork Venetian blinds this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on smooth wove paper, created in 1946-01-01

Venetian blinds c.1946-51

Artwork The yellow house this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1945-01-01

The yellow house c.1945-50

Artwork The house next door this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1945-01-01

The house next door c.1945-50

Artwork Alamandas in a blue vase this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1945-01-01

Alamandas in a blue vase c.1945-50

Artwork Corner of Bimbimbie with table and chair this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1945-01-01

Corner of Bimbimbie with table and chair c.1945-50

Artwork Suburban street, Nundah this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1930-01-01

Suburban street, Nundah c.1930s

Artwork Channel to the beach this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1945-01-01

Channel to the beach c.1945-50

Artwork Potted plants at Bimbimbie this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1945-01-01

Potted plants at Bimbimbie c.1945-50

Artwork Slab vase this artwork made of Earthenware, slab built tapering square body carved with scrolls and pendant flowers, ochre glaze, created in 1944-01-01

Slab vase 1944

Artwork Calendulas this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache over pencil on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1936-01-01

Calendulas c.1936-37

Artwork The cretonne curtain this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache over pencil on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1933-01-01

The cretonne curtain 1933

Artwork A mixed bunch this artwork made of Watercolour on cream wove paper, created in 1936-01-01

A mixed bunch c.1936-37

Artwork Sweet peas and gerberas this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1940-01-01

Sweet peas and gerberas c.1942

Artwork Noonday shadows this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache over pencil on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1946-01-01

Noonday shadows 1946

Artwork Art and nature this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on cardboard, created in 1934-01-01

Art and nature 1934

Artwork Hibiscus, gerbera and russelia this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1936-01-01

Hibiscus, gerbera and russelia 1936

Artwork The new bridge this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1931-01-01

The new bridge 1931

Artwork Crocus and sunflowers this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on thin cream wove paper, created in 1955-01-01

Crocus and sunflowers 1955

Artwork Wintry sunshine this artwork made of Oil on canvas on board, created in 1931-01-01

Wintry sunshine 1931-32

Artwork Sultry noon [Central Station, Brisbane] this artwork made of Oil on canvas on plywood, created in 1931-01-01

Sultry noon [Central Station, Brisbane] 1931

Artwork Green vase with gerberas this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1948-01-01

Green vase with gerberas 1948

Artwork Geraldton wax in vase this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1950-01-01

Geraldton wax in vase c.1950s

Artwork Blue-eyed daisies this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1959-01-01

Blue-eyed daisies 1959

Artwork Building the bridge this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache over pencil on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1931-01-01

Building the bridge 1931

Artwork A corner of Brisbane this artwork made of Oil on canvas on cardboard, created in 1937-01-01

A corner of Brisbane 1937

Artwork Brisbane skyline this artwork made of Oil on board

Brisbane skyline c.1944

Artwork Daisy vase this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built swelling cylindrical form carved with daisy and leaf motif, glazed green and blue, created in 1930-01-01

Daisy vase c.1930s

Artwork Cloud arrangement this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1945-01-01

Cloud arrangement c.1945

Artwork The Five Mile Creek this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1937-01-01

The Five Mile Creek c.1939

Artwork Mingimarny Creek this artwork made of Watercolour with gouache and pencil on wove paper, created in 1937-01-01

Mingimarny Creek c.1939

Artwork Under the casuarinas, Maroochydore this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1936-01-01

Under the casuarinas, Maroochydore c.1938

Artwork Harvesting scene this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1954-01-01

Harvesting scene c.1956

Artwork (Barrier Reef) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper

(Barrier Reef) c.1938

Artwork (Flying cloud) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1948-01-01

(Flying cloud) c.1950

Artwork At anchor off a Barrier Reef island this artwork made of Watercolour with pencil on paper, created in 1938-01-01

At anchor off a Barrier Reef island c.1938-39

Artwork Stranded tree trunk this artwork made of Watercolour with pencil on paper, created in 1935-01-01

Stranded tree trunk 1935

Artwork Contour ploughing this artwork made of Watercolour with gouache over pencil on paper mounted on cardboard, created in 1943-01-01

Contour ploughing c.1945

Artwork (Cattle and creek) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1931-01-01

(Cattle and creek) 1931

Artwork Hook Island from Hayman this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1938-01-01

Hook Island from Hayman 1938

Artwork (Feeding the pigs) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1927-01-01

(Feeding the pigs) c.1929

Artwork The tank this artwork made of Watercolour with pencil on paper, created in 1948-01-01

The tank c.1950

Artwork Long-necked vase this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built bulbous vase with two handles and carved decoration. Glazed brown splashed with colours, created in 1936-01-01

Long-necked vase 1936

Artwork Fat man this artwork made of Bronze, wooden base, created in 1940-01-01

Fat man 1940

Artwork Olympian this artwork made of Bronze, created in 1941-01-01

Olympian c.1946, cast after 1958

Artwork Bottle this artwork made of Stoneware, thrown tear drop shape with wreathing marks. Large calligraphic and poured marks with heavily speckled glaze, created in 1960-01-01

Bottle c.1961

Artwork Vase this artwork made of Stoneware, thrown with band at the shoulder incised with slash marks and "horse eyes" and stained iron. Rutile blue glaze, created in 1957-01-01

Vase 1957

Artwork Tea-set (teapot, sugar bowl and milk jug) this artwork made of Stoneware, thrown cylindrical brown body with partial blue green glaze and combed zig-zag decoration on the teapot. Cane handle, created in 1958-01-01

Tea-set (teapot, sugar bowl and milk jug) c.1958

Artwork The cattle grid this artwork made of Oil on composition board, created in 1958-01-01

The cattle grid 1958

Artwork A ballade of native stockmen no. 2 this artwork made of Oil on composition board, created in 1959-01-01

A ballade of native stockmen no. 2 1959

Artwork (Figures on a jetty) this artwork made of Pastel on paper, created in 1955-01-01

(Figures on a jetty) c.1955

Artwork Mrs Fraser this artwork made of Ripolin enamel on hardboard, created in 1947-01-01

Mrs Fraser 1947

Artwork (Horse carcass legs akimbo) (from 'Drought photographs' series) this artwork made of Archival inkjet print on paper, created in 1952-01-01

(Horse carcass legs akimbo) (from 'Drought photographs' series) 1952, printed 2011

Artwork (Cow carcass and cow skull) (from 'Drought photographs' series) this artwork made of Archival inkjet print on paper, created in 1952-01-01

(Cow carcass and cow skull) (from 'Drought photographs' series) 1952, printed 2011

Artwork (Camp beds) (from 'Drought photographs' series) this artwork made of Archival inkjet print on paper, created in 1952-01-01

(Camp beds) (from 'Drought photographs' series) 1952, printed 2011

Artwork (Horse head on ground) (from 'Drought photographs' series) this artwork made of Archival inkjet print on paper, created in 1952-01-01

(Horse head on ground) (from 'Drought photographs' series) 1952, printed 2011

Artwork (Cow skull balanced on hooves 1) (from 'Drought photographs' series) this artwork made of Archival inkjet print on paper, created in 1952-01-01

(Cow skull balanced on hooves 1) (from 'Drought photographs' series) 1952, printed 2011

Artwork (Calf carcass in tree) (from 'Drought photographs' series) this artwork made of Archival inkjet print on paper, created in 1952-01-01

(Calf carcass in tree) (from 'Drought photographs' series) 1952, printed 2011

Artwork (Desiccated horse carcass sitting up) (from 'Drought photographs' series) this artwork made of Archival inkjet print on paper, created in 1952-01-01

(Desiccated horse carcass sitting up) (from 'Drought photographs' series) 1952, printed 2011

Artwork (Dead steer with horned skull) (from 'Drought photographs' series) this artwork made of Archival inkjet print on paper, created in 1952-01-01

(Dead steer with horned skull) (from 'Drought photographs' series) 1952, printed 2011

Artwork (Horse carcass with legs in the air) (from 'Drought photographs' series) this artwork made of Archival inkjet print on paper, created in 1952-01-01

(Horse carcass with legs in the air) (from 'Drought photographs' series) 1952, printed 2011

Artwork Allamandas I this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1955-01-01

Allamandas I c.1955-58

Artwork (Construction of Story Bridge, Brisbane) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1939-01-01

(Construction of Story Bridge, Brisbane) 1939, printed 2005

Artwork The convenience store, Breakfast Creek this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1955-01-01

The convenience store, Breakfast Creek 1955

Artwork The barber's shop this artwork made of Oil on plywood panel, created in 1955-01-01

The barber's shop 1955

Artwork North of Capricorn this artwork made of Oil on plywood, created in 1956-01-01

North of Capricorn 1956-57

Artwork The cane town this artwork made of Oil on plywood, created in 1955-01-01

The cane town 1955

Artwork Table runner this artwork made of Woven wool with dark brown, ochre, gold, dark green and beige stripes, created in 1930-01-01

Table runner c.1930s

Artwork Church at Sandgate this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache on buff wove paper, created in 1944-01-01

Church at Sandgate c.1949

Artwork (Eastward from Bathurst Head) this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1958-01-01

(Eastward from Bathurst Head) 1958

Artwork (Looking over Cooktown) this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache on paper, created in 1958-01-01

(Looking over Cooktown) c.1958

Artwork (Kalpower) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1958-01-01

(Kalpower) c.1959

Artwork (Landscape with road and fence) this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1958-01-01

(Landscape with road and fence) c.1959

Artwork (Bottom lake at Kalpower) this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1959-01-01

(Bottom lake at Kalpower) 1959

Artwork (Wakooka, inland from Barrow Point) this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1959-01-01

(Wakooka, inland from Barrow Point) 1959

Artwork (Top of Howick, south of Barrow Point) this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1959-01-01

(Top of Howick, south of Barrow Point) 1959

Artwork Long Beach this artwork made of Coloured pencil and gouache on paper

Long Beach c.1954

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

(Coastal landscape) c.1954

Artwork (Road from Cooktown to Lakeland) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1959-01-01

(Road from Cooktown to Lakeland) 1959

Artwork Boat anchorage, Breakfast Creek this artwork made of Oil on canvas on board, created in 1945-01-01

Boat anchorage, Breakfast Creek 1945

Artwork Seaside trees this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1940-01-01

Seaside trees c.1940s

Artwork Little creature this artwork made of Sandstone, created in 1952-01-01

Little creature c.1957

Artwork (Banksia pods) this artwork made of Linocut, hand-coloured on paper, created in 1950-01-01

(Banksia pods) 1950s-60s

Artwork (Banksia flower) this artwork made of Linocut, hand-coloured on paper, created in 1950-01-01

(Banksia flower) 1950s-60s

Artwork Reclining woman this artwork made of Sandstone, created in 1942-01-01

Reclining woman 1942

Artwork Sandhills this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1920-01-01

Sandhills c.1930

Artwork Seashore curves this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1920-01-01

Seashore curves c.1930

Artwork Last rays on the sand dunes this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1939-01-01

Last rays on the sand dunes c.1939-40

Artwork Midday cumulus this artwork made of Bromoil transfer photograph on paper, created in 1935-01-01

Midday cumulus c.1940

Artwork (J.H. Simmonds, Rosemary and Margaret on a slippery slide in water) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 1935-01-01

(J.H. Simmonds, Rosemary and Margaret on a slippery slide in water) c.1938, printed 1984

Artwork (Two small girls in red, making sand castles, with a dog) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 1935-01-01

(Two small girls in red, making sand castles, with a dog) c.1938, printed 1984

Artwork (Two small girls in red, filling sand buckets in shallow water) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 1935-01-01

(Two small girls in red, filling sand buckets in shallow water) c.1938, printed 1984

Artwork (Grey Street Bridge, Brisbane) this artwork made of Bromoil transfer photograph on paper, created in 1932-01-01

(Grey Street Bridge, Brisbane) c.1933

Artwork Covered jar this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built, dipped gold clay, scraffito design of chrysanthemums, double glazed and with moulded floral cover, created in 1933-01-01

Covered jar 1933

Artwork Water craft, Thursday Island this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove, handmade paper, created in 1944-01-01

Water craft, Thursday Island c.1944

Artwork Fishing boats, North Quay this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove handmade paper, created in 1936-01-01

Fishing boats, North Quay c.1941

Artwork The pathway to Banfield's old home (Dunk Island) this artwork made of Oil on canvas on composition board, created in 1935-01-01

The pathway to Banfield's old home (Dunk Island) c.1940

Artwork Two boats this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1946-01-01

Two boats 1946

Artwork Tropical landscape this artwork made of Oil on canvas on plywood, created in 1940-01-01

Tropical landscape c.1940-50

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