GOMA Fairy Tales Exhibition

Don't miss the enthralling ‘Fairy Tales’ exhibition at the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), open until 28 April. This exhibition offers a captivating journey into a realm where folklore, enchantment, and riveting narratives intertwine, inviting visitors to explore a magical world like no other.

A highlight of this exhibition is the glass sculpture 'Inside' by acclaimed artist Jana Sterbak. This piece was recreated with the expertise of the G.James’ Specialised Glazing team, commissioned by GOMA for this specific purpose. The collaboration between G.James and GOMA underscores the exhibition's innovative spirit, showcasing how classic tales such as ‘Snow White’ can inspire contemporary artistic exploration and reinterpretation.

The process of recreating 'Inside' was a considerable technical challenge. G.James was initially supplied with an MDF base as the blueprint for the piece. As a 'dry run', the glass was first cut and polished in ordinary (float) glass, and then once all the pieces formed the shape, they were swapped out for 6mm "Starphire" Toughened Glass. The final piece featured polished mitred edges, assembled with high-strength, clear silicone at G.James' Eagle Farm facility, before being carefully transported and installed on site.

This sculpture, with its mirrored coffin set inside a larger glass structure, serves as a perspective on themes of voyeurism, desire, and fate. Viewers' faces are reflected on the mirrored surface, creating a dialogue with the artwork and the timeless tales that inspired it. The successful recreation of 'Inside' for the 'Fairy Tales' exhibition at QAGOMA is a testament to G.James’ commitment to innovative solutions, collaborative design, and technical expertise.

Image credit: Jana Sterbak's 'Inside' (1990/2023) - A mesmerizing fusion of glass and mirror, dimensions 67.5 x 64 x 210 cm, from the collection of Jana Sterbak. Copyright © Jana Sterbak. Photograph by N Umek, courtesy of QAGOMA.

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