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‘Watercolour in Queensland’
Mar 2014 - Jul 2014

Kenneth Macqueen / Australia NSW 1897 - 1960 / Harvesting scene (detail) c.1956 / Watercolour over pencil on wove paper / Purchased 1956 / Collection: QAGOMA / © QAGOMA / A watercolour landscape depicting rolling fields in shades of green and yellow, with hills in the background shadowed by clouds.

‘Transparent: Watercolour in Queensland 1850s–1980s’ demonstrates the enduring appeal of watercolour as a medium with 150 works from the Gallery's Collection. Used by early settlers to depict the landscape, by later artists to evoke the growing city of Brisbane and by wartime artists to record daily activities, watercolour is portable and adaptable, perfect for capturing quick impressions.

The exhibition follows the early colonial era and late nineteenth century into modern developments in the early twentieth century, the challenges of World War Two, and the development of a local strain of expressionism, while Joe Rootsey’s watercolours showed the powerful connection of Aboriginal Australians with the land. Other artists featured in this exhibition include Conrad Martens, Harriet Jane Neville-Rolfe, JJ Hilder, Vida Lahey, Kenneth Macqueen, WG Grant and Joy Roggenkamp.

‘Transparent’ presents the first comprehensive survey of the Gallery's watercolour collection, bringing to light many never before displayed works from the mid nineteenth century to the 1980s. The beautifully illustrated publication includes a curatorial overview of the artworks, a conservator's insight into fine artist papers and biographical notes on the artists.

‘Transparent: Watercolour in Queensland 1850s–1980s’ was on display at QAG from 22 March to 20 July 2014.


Feature image: Kenneth Macqueen / Australia NSW 1897–1960 / Harvesting scene (detail) c.1956 / Watercolour over pencil on wove paper / Purchased 1956 / Collection: QAGOMA / © QAGOMA

Collection artworks featured in ‘Watercolour in Queensland’

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 Surfing beach, Kiama this artwork made of Watercolour and ink on machine made paper, created in 1945-01-01

Surfing beach, Kiama 1945
Artwork View from Main Range near Spicers Peak, Queensland, Australia this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1880-01-01

View from Main Range near Spicers Peak, Queensland, Australia c.1880s
Artwork Coomera River this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1899-01-01

Coomera River 1899
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

The quarry at St. Paul's Terrace 1931
Artwork Seaside scrub this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil, created in 1925-01-01

Seaside scrub 1925
Artwork (Darling Downs landscape) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1930-01-01

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

(Farm 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 Design for St Mary’s Star of the Sea window, Darwin War Memorial Church this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache over pencil with pencil grid on wove paper, created in 1943-01-01

Design for St Mary’s Star of the Sea window, Darwin War Memorial Church c.1943-60
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 Design (1) for memorial window, All Saints Church, Ann Street, Brisbane this artwork made of Watercolour, pen and ink over pencil on wove paper, created in 1947-01-01

Design (1) for memorial window, All Saints Church, Ann Street, Brisbane 1947
Artwork Design (2) for memorial window, All Saints Church, Ann Street, Brisbane (St Etheldreda, St Michael, St Augustine and St Mary Magdalene) this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1949-01-01

Design (2) for memorial window, All Saints Church, Ann Street, Brisbane (St Etheldreda, St Michael, St Augustine and St Mary Magdalene) 1949
Artwork Sidney House this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1890-01-01

Sidney House 1890
Artwork Storm sweeping on Glasshouse Mountains this artwork made of Watercolour on laid paper mounted on cardboard, created in 1949-01-01

Storm sweeping on Glasshouse Mountains c.1950
Artwork Brisbane from Camp Hill this artwork made of Watercolour and red ink on laid paper, created in 1951-01-01

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

House at Annerley Junction 1951
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 Rainy weather, Boggy Creek, Brisbane this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache on thin wove paper, created in 1890-01-01

Rainy weather, Boggy Creek, Brisbane c.1900
Artwork When lengthening shadows fall this artwork made of Watercolour, created in 1902-01-01

When lengthening shadows fall c.1907
Artwork Kingston Estate, South Coast Line this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1888-01-01

Kingston Estate, South Coast Line 1888
Artwork Shadow pattern this artwork made of Watercolour on wove paper, created in 1948-01-01

Shadow pattern c.1953
Artwork Study of a man this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper

Study of a man

Artwork Portrait of a girl this artwork made of Watercolour over charcoal on wove paper, created in 1877-01-01

Portrait of a girl c.1897?
Artwork Church scene this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1920-01-01

Church scene c.1920s
Artwork The brown jug this artwork made of Watercolour over charcoal on wove paper, created in 1923-01-01

The brown jug c.1928
Artwork The black hat this artwork made of Watercolour over charcoal on wove paper, created in 1932-01-01

The black hat c.1937
Artwork Restful moments this artwork made of Watercolour over charcoal mounted on paperboard, created in 1954-01-01

Restful moments c.1954-55
Artwork The yellow gown this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1940-01-01

The yellow gown c.1940-46
Artwork Boats this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper mounted on cardboard, created in 1945-01-01

Boats 1945
Artwork Coastline at Point Perry this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1945-01-01

Coastline at Point Perry c.1945-49
Artwork Girl with goat this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache and pencil on wove paper, created in 1945-01-01

Girl with goat c.1945-51
Artwork Chinamen's huts, Cairns this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1946-01-01

Chinamen's huts, Cairns 1946
Artwork Hut in the bush, North Qld this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1946-01-01

Hut in the bush, North Qld c.1946-47
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 Interior (Ann Grant's bedroom) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1948-01-01

Interior (Ann Grant's bedroom) 1948
Artwork Woman with blue parasol this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1948-01-01

Woman with blue parasol c.1950
Artwork Darwin Harbour this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1942-01-01

Darwin Harbour 1942
Artwork Draughting room this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1942-01-01

Draughting room c.1942
Artwork Recce this artwork made of Watercolour with gouache and pencil on paper, created in 1943-01-01

Recce 1943
Artwork (Storm cloud) this artwork made of Watercolour with gouache over pencil on paper, created in 1941-01-01

(Storm cloud) c.1943
Artwork Moon in the swamp this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1909-01-01

Moon in the swamp 1909
Artwork Island schooner, Moreton Bay this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1910-01-01

Island schooner, Moreton Bay 1910
Artwork Kedron (Brisbane) this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1910-01-01

Kedron (Brisbane) 1910
Artwork Landscape near Carlingford this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1910-01-01

Landscape near Carlingford 1910
Artwork The timbergetters this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1912-01-01

The timbergetters 1912
Artwork Sketch at Bay Road this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper mounted on composition board, created in 1913-01-01

Sketch at Bay Road 1913
Artwork Through the trees this artwork made of Watercolour on wove paper, created in 1913-01-01

Through the trees 1913
Artwork The bridge this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1914-01-01

The bridge 1914
Artwork The two barrows this artwork made of Watercolour on wove paper, created in 1912-01-01

The two barrows c.1914
Artwork Launch at anchor this artwork made of Watercolour on wove paper, created in 1912-01-01

Launch at anchor c.1915
Artwork Evening landscape this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache on wove paper on composition board, created in 1900-01-01

Evening landscape early 20th century
Artwork Erin's home, Boggo Queensland this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1876-01-01

Erin's home, Boggo Queensland 1876
Artwork Caloundra this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache over pencil on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1937-01-01

Caloundra 1937
Artwork Sand dunes in winter this artwork made of Watercolour on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1942-01-01

Sand dunes in winter 1942
Artwork Brisbane street scene this artwork made of Watercolour and ink on paper, created in 1944-01-01

Brisbane street scene c.1945
Artwork (The lovers) this artwork made of Gouache, watercolour and pencil on paper, created in 1945-01-01

(The lovers) c.1947
Artwork Sketch for 'Slab cottage, Bowen Hills' this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1894-01-01

Sketch for 'Slab cottage, Bowen Hills' 1894
Artwork Serpentine Rocks, Scilly Isles, Lands End, England this artwork made of Watercolour and coloured chalks on paper, created in 1895-01-01

Serpentine Rocks, Scilly Isles, Lands End, England 1895
Artwork Brisbane street this artwork made of Watercolour and pencil on paper on cardboard, created in 1910-01-01

Brisbane street c.1912
Artwork The carters' rest, Eagle Street this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1913-01-01

The carters' rest, Eagle Street 1913
Artwork View from Kirra Headland (showing the Cougalls and Mts. Tallebudgera and Lamington) this artwork made of Watercolour on wove paper, created in 1920-01-01

View from Kirra Headland (showing the Cougalls and Mts. Tallebudgera and Lamington) c.1924
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 The new bridge this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1931-01-01

The new bridge 1931
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 Art and nature this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on cardboard, created in 1934-01-01

Art and nature 1934
Artwork On the Thames this artwork made of Watercolour and pencil on paper, created in 1937-01-01

On the Thames 1937
Artwork Green trees this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache over pencil on paper, created in 1945-01-01

Green trees 1945
Artwork Weathercock Farm this artwork made of Watercolour with gouache over pencil on paper, created in 1925-01-01

Weathercock Farm 1925
Artwork Ploughing the boundary this artwork made of Watercolour with pencil, heightened with white on paper adhered to cardboard, created in 1928-01-01

Ploughing the boundary 1928
Artwork Hills and dam this artwork made of Watercolour with pencil, heightened with white on paper adhered to cardboard, created in 1928-01-01

Hills and dam c.1930
Artwork (Cattle and creek) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1931-01-01

(Cattle and creek) 1931
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 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 Morning ride this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1944-01-01

Morning ride c.1946
Artwork (Flying cloud) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1948-01-01

(Flying cloud) c.1950
Artwork The tank this artwork made of Watercolour with pencil on paper, created in 1948-01-01

The tank c.1950
Artwork Harvesting scene this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1954-01-01

Harvesting scene c.1956
Artwork The homestead, Canning Downs this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1852-01-01

The homestead, Canning Downs 1852
Artwork Brisbane this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache over pencil on wove paper, created in 1842-01-01

Brisbane c.1852
Artwork House and garden, Goomburra this artwork made of Watercolour and pencil on paper, created in 1851-01-01

House and garden, Goomburra c.1853
Artwork Coochin Run this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1854-01-01

Coochin Run 1854
Artwork Crossing place, Canning Downs this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1854-01-01

Crossing place, Canning Downs 1854
Artwork Heifer Station, Canning Downs this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1854-01-01

Heifer Station, Canning Downs 1854
Artwork Killarney, Canning Downs this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1854-01-01

Killarney, Canning Downs 1854
Artwork Franklyn Vale this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1852-01-01

Franklyn Vale c.1854
Artwork Brisbane this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1855-01-01

Brisbane 1855
Artwork Forest, Cunningham's Gap this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1856-01-01

Forest, Cunningham's Gap 1856
Artwork View of Brisbane (in 1851) this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache over pencil on wove paper, created in 1862-01-01

View of Brisbane (in 1851) 1862
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Circus tent 1951
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Sand mining country I 1967
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Sand mining country II 1967
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Sand mining country III 1967
Artwork Self portrait this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1883-01-01

Self portrait c.1888
Artwork Tina Loot this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1883-01-01

Tina Loot c.1883
Artwork Breakfast, Alpha this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Breakfast, Alpha 1884
Artwork Brumby Jack's camp, Rainmore this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Brumby Jack's camp, Rainmore 1884
Artwork Clive and Mrs Mackintosh this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Clive and Mrs Mackintosh 1884
Artwork Gins from the verandah of the quarters, Alpha this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Gins from the verandah of the quarters, Alpha 1884
Artwork Lanark Outstation this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Lanark Outstation 1884
Artwork Sedgeford outstation on the Alpha run this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1884-01-01

Sedgeford outstation on the Alpha run 1884
Artwork A farmstead on Lytton Road, Bulimba this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1889-01-01

A farmstead on Lytton Road, Bulimba 1889
Artwork House under Bowen Terrace, Brisbane this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1889-01-01

House under Bowen Terrace, Brisbane 1889
Artwork The Glass House Mountains from Scarborough this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1889-01-01

The Glass House Mountains from Scarborough 1889
Artwork (Farmhouse with fields) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1884-01-01

(Farmhouse with fields) c.1889
Artwork Mt Coonowrin this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1884-01-01

Mt Coonowrin c.1889
Artwork (Settlement with hills) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on paper, created in 1884-01-01

(Settlement with hills) c.1889
Artwork The coast at Port Macquarie this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache over pencil on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1929-01-01

The coast at Port Macquarie c.1933
Artwork The Island boat this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1938-01-01

The Island boat 1938-39
Artwork The coast of Terrigal this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper, created in 1940-01-01

The coast of Terrigal c.1945
Artwork Wild cotton this artwork made of Watercolour and pastel over pencil on watercolour paper, created in 1959-01-01

Wild cotton c.1964
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Study for trees 1946
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Lake Terranora 1987
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Blue Knob, Murwillumbah 1988
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Currumbin Valley 1989
Artwork Valley of the Maroochy this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1938-01-01

Valley of the Maroochy c.1938-40
Artwork The Obi from Mapleton Range this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache over pencil on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1939-01-01

The Obi from Mapleton Range c.1939-40
Artwork The coastline at Newport this artwork made of Watercolour on wove paper, created in 1945-01-01

The coastline at Newport 1945
Artwork Farm landscape with colonial homestead this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1888-01-01

Farm landscape with colonial homestead 1888
Artwork Mount Coot-tha this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache over pencil on wove paper, created in 1887-01-01

Mount Coot-tha c.1892
Artwork (The Recital or Woman at a piano) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on cream wove paper, created in 1886-01-01

(The Recital or Woman at a piano) c.1886-90
Artwork St. Stephen's Cathedral, Brisbane this artwork made of Watercolour on wove paper, created in 1892-01-01

St. Stephen's Cathedral, Brisbane 1892
Artwork Inner city drama this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache on buff wove paper, created in 1960-01-01

Inner city drama c.1960s
Artwork Suburb with storm approaching this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache on buff wove paper, created in 1960-01-01

Suburb with storm approaching c.1960s
Artwork Currimundi this artwork made of Watercolour and gouache on cardboard, created in 1970-01-01

Currimundi c.1972
Artwork Thunder and lightning, Glasshouse Valley this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1985-01-01

Thunder and lightning, Glasshouse Valley c.1990
Artwork (Coastal landscape) this artwork made of Gouache on paper on board

(Coastal landscape) c.1954
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

(Creek) c.1954
Artwork (Landscape) this artwork made of Gouache on paper

(Landscape) c.1954
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Long Beach c.1954
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

(Waterfall) c.1954
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

(Waterfall) c.1954
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

(Waterfall) c.1954
Artwork (Cape Melville lava rocks) this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1958-01-01

(Cape Melville lava rocks) 1958
Artwork (Trees) this artwork made of Watercolour, pen and ink on paper, created in 1938-01-01

(Trees) c.1939
Artwork (Boats on the Brisbane River) this artwork made of Watercolour and Indian ink on paper, created in 1959-01-01

(Boats on the Brisbane River) 1959
Artwork Albion Pottery kiln this artwork made of Watercolour on cream, handmade, wove paper on cardboard, created in 1927-01-01

Albion Pottery kiln 1927
Artwork Sunday morning this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1927-01-01

Sunday morning 1927
Artwork (Small house with river in foreground) this artwork made of Watercolour on rough, wove paper on cardboard, created in 1929-01-01

(Small house with river in foreground) c.1929
Artwork The kitchen door this artwork made of Watercolour on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1932-01-01

The kitchen door 1932
Artwork Study for 'The kitchen door' this artwork made of Watercolour on wove paper on cardboard, created in 1932-01-01

Study for 'The kitchen door' 1932
Artwork Seaside trees this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1940-01-01

Seaside trees c.1940s
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Beach houses 1941
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Sea lyric c.1941
Artwork The lovers' rock, Tweed Heads this artwork made of Watercolour on wove paper

The lovers' rock, Tweed Heads

Artwork (Landscape with lake, Qld) this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil, heightened with opaque white on wove paper, created in 1922-01-01

(Landscape with lake, Qld) 1922
Artwork A view of the new Post Office & School of Arts, Bourbong St. Bundaberg from Barolin St., Augt. 1st 1891, Queensland this artwork made of Watercolour, pencil and wash on paper, created in 1891-01-01

A view of the new Post Office & School of Arts, Bourbong St. Bundaberg from Barolin St., Augt. 1st 1891, Queensland 1891
Artwork The Brisbane at Fernvale this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1926-01-01

The Brisbane at Fernvale 1926
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 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 Army personnel painting scrim for camouflage, using unit-made machine this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove, handmade paper, created in 1944-01-01

Army personnel painting scrim for camouflage, using unit-made machine c.1944-45
Artwork Native scouts this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove, handmade paper, created in 1944-01-01

Native scouts c.1944-45
Artwork Near Cape York - landing barge Torres Strait this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove, handmade paper, created in 1944-01-01

Near Cape York - landing barge Torres Strait c.1944-45
Artwork Rifle cleaning on board ship this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove, handmade paper, created in 1944-01-01

Rifle cleaning on board ship c.1944-45
Artwork Big Road on the side of Mt. Shiburangau and looking across to Muschu Island this artwork made of Watercolour over pencil on wove, handmade paper, created in 1944-01-01

Big Road on the side of Mt. Shiburangau and looking across to Muschu Island c.1945
Artwork Saltwater lagoon this artwork made of Watercolour on paper, created in 1911-01-01

Saltwater lagoon 1911

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