Brisbane Art Design (BAD) is back in 2023 with a bold, artistic and daring (BAD!) programme of local art and design luminaries.
It’s an inclusive and immersive programme of hands-on workshops, open studios, design talks and arty parties, set to colour the town across three weekend and showcase the inventive creatives shaping the city.
This is the third year of BAD, an innovative initiative from Museum Of Brisbane (MoB). There will be more than 150 cultural events and exhibitions themed around ‘Culture. Community. Clay’. to be staged in Brisbane and suburban art hubs.
Highlights include new, commissioned clay works by daring local ceramicists Bonnie Hislop, Steph Woods, Kenji Uranishi, Jane du Rand and Nicolette Johnson at MoB. . . Alongside art dinners, fashion parades, laneway DJs, and even chauffeured BAD bus tours of studios and spaces.
“It’s great to see our city come alive with the works of talented local artists,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says.
“From the Northside to the Southside and everywhere in between, there is so much to see and do in Brisbane.
“Our arts industry is one of our most exciting and it’s great that we can once again experience the best from local makers across the city outside of traditional galleries.
“I would invite residents and visitors to embrace the sights and sounds of BAD, and learn something new along the way.”
In weekend one, the scene will be set for BAD. The city will host Botanica: Contemporary Art Outside in the Botanic Gardens with large-scale srt works and tours, as well as food trucks and evening ambience. Plus, BAD’s flagship exhibition will be on at MoB – Clay: Collected Ceramics, introducing this year’s theme. There will also be pop-up artist studios in the city, as well as exhibition talks, and live projections at Howard Smith Wharves.
In weekend two, head north to explore the edgy, design-forward precincts of Fortitude Valley, Newstead, Albion, Bowen Hills, Northshore and Toowong. There’s an In Conversation series hosted by Design Institute Of Australia, and the Finders Keepers markets. Go on a dedicated walking tour in The Valley to go behind the scenes of some of the location’s most intriguing industrial, product and architectural studios. You can also enjoy live art and food trucks at The Black Market Albion, and experience a hands-on ceramics workshop in Newstead. When the sun goes down, independent art spaces will offer an intimate look at contemporary pieces – FireWorks Gallery in Bowen Hills, POP Gallery and The Station Brisbane in the Valley, Toowong’s Land Street Gallery and Superordinary in the Northshore precinct.
Weekend three wraps things up on the south side, where art can be explored in South Brisbane, Woolloongabba, West End, Yeronga and Yeerongpilly. South Brisbane’s Fish Lane will host a wearable art and fashion parade, and Echo & Bounce in Woolloongabba will soundtrack the weekend with local DJs, for a laneway soiree. Dead Puppet Society in Woolloongabba will open its doors for attendees to see works in progress and signature pieces. You can also explore Queensland College of Art – Griffith University and TAFE Queensland in South Brisbane, Metro Arts in West End, The Paint Factory in Yeronga and Yeerongpilly’s Bag End Studio.
Things come to a close with the arty closing party at Yeerongpilly’s Station Road Creative Precinct – to celebrate the inspired, expressive, and experimental output of the local creative community.
“BAD invites audiences to step into the studios, galleries and workspaces and go behind the scenes of Brisbane’s creative industry to explore new ideas,” MoB Acting CEO Cathy De Silva says.
“Museum of Brisbane is excited to present another massive programme for BAD, which shows how our art and design sector is growing and thriving. I invite everyone to come out and explore our creative industry throughout May.”
Brisbane Art Design (BAD) 2023 is on from 10-28 May.
