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APAP: The birth of the APT

By Doug Hall

Asia Pacific Art Papers

This excerpt is drawn from Asia Pacific Art Papers: 'The birth of the APT' (QAGOMA, 2021)

 

In acknowledgment of the 10th iteration of the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT), QAG’s former director Doug Hall AM reflects on the challenging circumstances that led to this groundbreaking exhibition series that has gained an international reputation.

The circumstances of how and why ‘The 1st Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art’ (APT1) was conceived, developed and realised is an account that is not simply about a cultural project. It is not possible to consider the APT without understanding the historical and unique circumstances of the Queensland Art Gallery that created it. Further, it is not a mirror of any other history you might find in Australia’s major public-funded state and national institutions.

It is a story interwoven with politics and rejuvenation . . . [READ MORE]
 

A photograph of a performance artist appearing to meditate, covered in mud or clay, next to an installation of tree-like sculptures.

Feature image: Dadang Chistanto / Indonesia b.1957 / For those: Who are poor, Who are suffer(ing), Who are oppressed, Who are voiceless, Who are powerless, Who are burdened, Who are victims of violence, Who are victims of a dupe, Who are victims of injustice (performance still) 1993 / The Kenneth and Yasuko Myer Collection of Contemporary Asian Art. Purchased 1993 with funds from The Myer Foundation and Michael Simcha Baevski through the Queensland Art Gallery / © Dadang Chistanto / Photograph: QAGOMA

 

Artwork Lotus sound this artwork made of Terracotta, gilded wood, created in 1992-01-01

Lotus sound 1992
Artwork Rock against Petersen this artwork made of Screenprint on paper, created in 1983-01-01

Rock against Petersen 1983
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Never was so much owed to so many by so few 1980
Artwork Song of the buffalo boys II this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1990-01-01

Song of the buffalo boys II 1990
Artwork For those: Who are poor, Who are suffer(ing), Who are oppressed, Who are voiceless, Who are powerless, Who are burdened, Who are victims of violence, Who are victims of a dupe, Who are victims of injustice this artwork made of Bamboo, cane, created in 1993-01-01

For those: Who are poor, Who are suffer(ing), Who are oppressed, Who are voiceless, Who are powerless, Who are burdened, Who are victims of violence, Who are victims of a dupe, Who are victims of injustice 1993
Artwork A book from the sky this artwork made of Woodblock print, wood, leather, ivory, created in 1987-01-01

A book from the sky 1987-91
Artwork Narcissus garden this artwork made of Stainless steel balls, created in 1966-01-01

Narcissus garden 1966/2002
Artwork Soul under the moon this artwork made of Mirrors, ultra violet lights, water, plastic, nylon thread, timber, synthetic polymer paint, created in 2002-01-01

Soul under the moon 2002
Artwork Relatum this artwork made of Iron plates, stones, created in 2002-01-01

Relatum 2002
Artwork Doublonnage (Marcel) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper bonded to aluminium, created in 1988-01-01

Doublonnage (Marcel) 1988
Artwork Labyrinth (from 'Labyrinth' series) this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1987-01-01

Labyrinth (from 'Labyrinth' series) 1987-88
Artwork Woods III this artwork made of Wood, ashes and synthetic polymer paint, created in 1991-01-01

Woods III 1991-92
Artwork Three comrades (from 'Bloodline: The big family' series) this artwork made of Oil on canvas, created in 1994-01-01

Three comrades (from 'Bloodline: The big family' series) 1994
Artwork Untitled this artwork made of Resin fibreglass and lacquer, created in 2006-01-01

Untitled 2006-07

Explore the story

A photograph of a performance artist appearing to meditate, covered in mud or clay, next to an installation of tree-like sculptures.

APAP: The birth of the APT

Read ESSAY
An installation view of a work installed for APT1 in 1993, with sculpted wooden tree-like structures arranged near the Watermall in QAG.
LOOKING BACK AT THE APT

‘The First Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art’

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Three graduate students wearing mortarboards sit reading blood-splattered newspapers in a cemetery in Myanmar.
APT10

APT10: Artists and projects

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© Lee Wen

APAP: From 'Japanese art' to 'art in Japan'

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Related resources

APAP: The birth of the APT
LIST OF WORKS: APT1 to APT10