Australia is a stable, democratic and culturally diverse nation with a highly skilled workforce and one of the strongest performing economies in the world.
The 8th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT8)
Anida Yoeu Ali, Cambodia/USA b.1974 / The Buddhist Bug 2015 / Performance for APT8, QAGOMA, Brisbane, 21–22 November 2015 / Orange lycra, wire, tube, thread, glue and two live bodies / Courtesy: The artist
Since its inception in 1993, APT has grown to become a focal point for promoting contemporary Australian art and positioning Australian artists for international success. The APT contributes to the development of national and international audiences for contemporary art from the Asia-Pacific region, as well as vital artistic, diplomatic and cultural connections with Australia.
The eighth Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT) opened on the 20 November 2015 in Brisbane, drawing 32,000 visitors in the exhibition's first three days, with attendance for the opening night events almost 14,000.
Over its 22 year history, APT has attracted more than 2.34 million visitors to Queensland and exhibited major works by more than 550 artists representing over 40 countries.
APT8 has built on the legacy of previous Triennials, presenting major works by 76 leading and emerging artists and artist groups from across Asia, the Pacific and Australia, much of the international programming has not been shown in Australia before.
In 2015, DFAT in collaboration with the Australia Council for the Arts, supported the participation of curators from Canada, New Zealand and Australia in APT's First Nations Curators Exchange. The program aimed to enhance artistic engagement among First Nations, provided a critical platform for artists to exchange ideas and practices, increase opportunities for international collaboration and network with key stakeholders in the arts industry.
DFAT is also supporting the delivery of APT8 Live: an ongoing program of artist performances and projects that expand on the exhibition's emergent themes of performance and the body.
Following a vibrant array of live events on the opening weekend, APT8 Live continues to animate Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art for the duration of the exhibition (to 10 April 2016), giving performance an emphatic presence in the Triennial. APT8 LIVE recordings can be accessed from QAGOMA TV and YouTube.
Justin Shoulder, Australia b.1985 and Bhenji Ra, Australia b.1990 / Ex Nilalang: Incarnations 2015–16 / Performance for APT8, QAGOMA, Brisbane, 21–22 November 2015 / Costume design: Justin Shoulder; Sound design: Nick Wales / This project was assisted by a grant from Arts NSW, an agency of the New South Wales Government, and supported by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian State and Territory Governments. The program is administered by the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) / Developed for APT8 / Courtesy: The artists
Melati Suryodarmo, Indonesia b.1969 / I'm a Ghost in My Own House 2012 / 12-hour performance for APT8, GOMA, Brisbane, 21 November 2015 / Courtesy: The artist
Ming Wong, Singapore/Germany b.1971 / Aku Akan Bertahan / I Will Survive 2015 / Performance for APT8, GOMA, Brisbane, 21–22 November 2015 / Choreography by Otniel Tasman, Indonesia b. 1988 / Bradd Edwards, Australia b.1986 / Tamara Pertamina, Indonesia b. 1989 / Shahmen Suku, Singapore/Australia b.1987
Rosanna Raymond, Aotearoa New Zealand b.1967 / SaVAge K'lub 2010-ongoing / Mixed media installation / Brisbane SaVAge K'lub / Developed for APT8 / Courtesy: The artist / Brisbane SaVAge K'lub members: Jess Holly Bates, Eric Bridgeman, Salvador Brown, Precious Clark, Croc Coulter, Lisa Fa'alafi, Charlotte Grayham, Katrina Igglesden, Jimmy Kouratoras, Numatangi MacKenzie, Ani O'Neill, Maryann Talia Pau, Aroha Rawson, Rosanna Raymond, Reina and Molana, Sutton, David Siliga Setoga, Niwhai Tupaea, Suzanne Tamaki and Jo Walsh
Super Critical Mass (Julian Day, Australia b.1975 and Luke Jaaniste, Australia b.1977) / Open Plans: Coordinating Space 2015–16 / Workshops with The Federation Handbells / Massed performance for APT8, GOMA, Brisbane, with The Federation Handbells, 22 November 2015 / The Federation Handbells are managed by Museum Victoria on behalf of Creative Victoria / This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body / Courtesy: The artists
Yumi Danis (We Dance) / Collaborative project developed for APT8 co-curated by Marcel Meltherorong, New Caledonia/Vanuatu b.1975 / Ni-Vanuatu people / Performance for APT8, GOMA, Brisbane, 21–22 November 2015 / Richard Digoué,
New Caledonia b.1968 / Tio Massing, Vanuatu b.1988 / Marcel Meltherorong, New Caledonia/Vanuatu b.1975 / Simane Wénéthem, New Caledonia b.1988 / Julia Mage'au Gray, Papua New Guinea/Australia b.1973 / Sunameke Productions, Australia est.1997 / Courtesy: The artists
