I went to GoMA for the Surrealism show but the real blockbuster was upstairs!

‘Surrealism: The Poetry of Dreams’, the latest show in GoMA’s blockbuster armory is billed as core works from one of the world’s best museum collections of modern and contemporary art, The Musée National d’Art Moderne, and housed in Paris’s iconic Centre Pompidou. With money paid, the exploration began of the atmospherically lit curatorial labyrinth designed to delight and surprise at every turn.

GoMA describes the show as presenting ‘a historical overview of Surrealism, charting its evolution from Dada experiments in painting, photography and film, through the metaphysical questioning and exploration of the subconscious in the paintings of Giorgio De Chirico and Max Ernst; to the readymade objects of Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray’s photographs. The show had all of these but was mildly disappointing with some favourite Magritte’s and Dali’s absent. One might surmise that the repository of all things surreal didn’t let its best and most precious out of its sight.

With an afternoon free, exploring upstairs unveiled the true blockbuster: ‘Land, Sea and Sky: Contemporary Art of the Torres Strait Islands’. Curated with a bright, airy, island feel, this ‘free blockbuster’ is presented across the major level three galleries and is described by GoMA as the ‘largest and possibly the most significant exhibition to date of contemporary art by Torres Strait Islander artists anywhere in the world’. It showcases the unique contemporary works of more than 40 artists from the Torres Strait region ­– for those who like facts and figures, there are over 270 islands of which 17 are inhabited by Torres Strait Island peoples.

The diversity of artworks displayed is amazing, including dance objects, prints, film, video, textiles, ceramics and installations. Of particular note are the prints of Denis Nona and the stories evoked in the images to be passed down to the younger generations. Land, sea and sky has both cultural and practical significance for Torres Strait Islander people and their influence is obvious in their art. 

Dennis Nona | Kala Lagaw Ya people | Thabara 1992 | Linocut ‘a la poupee’ on paper | Purchased 1993. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation | Collection: Queensland Art Gallery

Dennis Nona | Kala Lagaw Ya people | Thabara 1992 | Linocut 'a la poupee' on paper | Purchased 1993. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation | Collection: Queensland Art Gallery

Some further research found that this exhibition is part of ‘The Torres Strait Islands: A Celebration’, showcasing the diversity and vibrancy of historical and contemporary arts and culture of Torres Strait Islander Australians across the major arts organisations at the Cultural Centre, South Bank, including GoMA, State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Museum.

Although GoMA’s marketing people suggest taking 'the visual feast that is Surrealism to a different level and indulge in a Surrealism High Tea’, the true visual feast lies on level 3, with the option to visit other nearby cultural precinct venues to soak up more Torres Strait Islander culture (see details below).

Karen Waddell

Allson Tabuai | Kalaw Kawaw Ya people | Dhibal (Victory headdress) 2003–04 | Cane, feathers, cotton cloth, cotton thread, synthetic polymer paint | Purchased 2004. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation | Collection: Queensland Art Gallery

The Torres Strait Islands: A Celebration encompasses:

• Land, Sea and Sky: Contemporary Art of the Torres Strait Islands, an exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art including more than 40 artists, 1 July – 9 October 2011
• Strait Home will bring the State Library of Queensland's significant collections to life, through exhibitions, special events and activities, 1 July – 23 October 2011
• Awakening: Stories from the Torres Strait features striking ceremonial masks, hand-crafted tools of daily life and internationally significant archaeological findings at Queensland Museum South Bank, 25 June – 2 October, 2011