20 November 2008

Keeping fans of contemporary Australian art satisfied over the summer break is NEW selected recent acquisitions 2007-2008 - the latest exhibition from the UQ Art Museum.

Open free to the public from November 28 and running until February 1, NEW includes 300 works that have been recently acquired or donated to the museum.

Museum Director Nick Mitzevich said the exhibition was several years in the making and is accompanied by a specially designed 160-page colour catalogue.

"NEW is the culmination of two years of determined collecting by the University to ensure the collection is relevant and responsive to world around us," Mr Mitzevich said.

"The exhibition includes both historical and contemporary art works and provides a fascinating cross-section of art being made today in Queensland and across the nation."

Highlights include the entire First Jobs photographic series by Tracey Moffatt, which tells the story of all the places the artist worked at while a university student.

There are also exciting pieces by Australian Venice Biennale representative Shaun Gladwell, and from other well-known names Ben Quilty, Michael Zavros and Rosemary Laing.

NEW also features the work of Lockhart River artists Samantha Hobson and Rosella Namok, whose paintings were featured in the groundbreaking Our Way, which the museum toured internationally last year.

Mr Mitzevich said NEW was the first of an annual series of shows to display recently acquired works from the UQ collection, which is the second largest holding of public art in the state.

"The past two years have proved the most active collection period in the history of the UQ Art Museum," Mr Mitzevich said.

"Hundreds of works have been received by the University through the generosity of donors, therefore this is a great opportunity to display the depth of philanthropy at UQ and showcase some fantastic contemporary art at the same time."

The UQ Art Museum is open from 10am-4pm seven days a week, with parking free on weekends.

Exhibiting artists: Tony Albert, Brook Andrew, Fiona Foley, Shaun Gladwell, Tracey Moffatt, Gwyn Hanssen-Pigott, Samantha Hobson, Craig Koomeeta, Peter Hennessey, Rosemary Laing, Amanda Marburg, Rosella Namok, Dorothy Napangardi, Arthur Koo'ekka Pambegan Jnr, Scott Redford, Sandra Selig, George Tjungarrayi, Alick Tipoti and Michael Zavros.

Media: Nick Mitzevich (0434 361 383, 07 3365 3046, n.mitzevich@uq.edu.au) or Cameron Pegg at UQ Communications (07 3365 2049, c.pegg@uq.edu.au)

High-resolution images available at this link.