APAP: The birth of the APT
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]
![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 A photograph of a performance artist appearing to meditate, covered in mud or clay, next to an installation of tree-like sculptures.](/system/files/styles/wide/private/2024-03/Christanto-1-scaled.jpg?itok=iKwUZApX)
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
![QAGOMA Artwork Lotus sound this artwork made of Terracotta, gilded wood, created in 1992-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1993.390a-_003_4.jpg?itok=61rHCkat)
Lotus sound 1992
- BOONMA, Montien - Creator
![© The Artist Artwork Rock against Petersen this artwork made of Screenprint on paper, created in 1983-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1991.085_002_6.jpg?itok=4Si7cU01)
Rock against Petersen 1983
- HURSE, Lachlan - Creator
![Artwork A book from the sky this artwork made of Woodblock print, wood, leather, ivory, created in 1987-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1994.092a-nnnnn_127_4.jpg?itok=K-_VkYTZ)
A book from the sky 1987-91
- XU BING - Creator
![© YAYOI KUSAMA Artwork Narcissus garden this artwork made of Stainless steel balls, created in 1966-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2002.154a-_QAG_Watermall_installationview_20170926_nharth_012.jpg.jpg?itok=mH16udVP)
Narcissus garden 1966/2002
- KUSAMA, Yayoi - Creator
![YAYOI KUSAMA 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](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2002.143a-y_001_4.jpg?itok=tFnBSJtA)
Soul under the moon 2002
- KUSAMA, Yayoi - Creator
![© Lee Ufan Artwork Relatum this artwork made of Iron plates, stones, created in 2002-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2002.144a-h_022_5.jpg?itok=6UdZ_cOP)
Relatum 2002
- LEE Ufan - Creator
![Artwork Doublonnage (Marcel) this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper bonded to aluminium, created in 1988-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1989.170_002_4.jpg?itok=YtHCgbUb)
Doublonnage (Marcel) 1988
- MORIMURA, Yasumasa - Creator
![© Shigeo Toya Artwork Woods III this artwork made of Wood, ashes and synthetic polymer paint, created in 1991-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/1994.091a-dd_006_5.jpg?itok=ViEvUnOq)
Woods III 1991-92
- TOYA, Shigeo - Creator
![© Anish Kapoor Artwork Untitled this artwork made of Resin fibreglass and lacquer, created in 2006-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/2023-12/2007.284_001.jpg?itok=ABOpTjTR)
Untitled 2006-07
- KAPOOR, Anish - Creator
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![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 A photograph of a performance artist appearing to meditate, covered in mud or clay, next to an installation of tree-like sculptures.](/system/files/styles/large/private/2024-03/Christanto-1-scaled.jpg?itok=u9UOqPgv)
APAP: The birth of the APT
Read digital story![Shigeo Toya's Woods III 1991-2, APT1 An installation view of a work installed for APT1 in 1993, with sculpted wooden tree-like structures arranged near the Watermall in QAG.](/system/files/styles/large/private/2023-04/QAG_APT1_SlideSet_151%20%281%29.jpg?itok=xkbTpULK)
Digital Story Introduction
LOOKING BACK AT THE APT‘The First Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art’
Read digital story![© Lee Wen](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2000.017_001_still.jpg?itok=lhfpu532)
APAP: From 'Japanese art' to 'art in Japan'
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