What’s Happening?
Manning Regional Art Gallery is hosting POSTWORLD, a national touring exhibition co-curated by Kate O’Hara and Daniel Qualischefski of Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts, Townsville.
Commissioned by the North Australian Festival of Arts (NFA) and toured by Museums & Galleries Queensland, the exhibition runs from 14 March to 10 May 2025.
Featuring works from 11 Australian artists, POSTWORLD immerses audiences in imaginative parallel universes through mixed media, exploring themes of human experience, environmental shifts, and societal structures.
Why It Matters?
The exhibition challenges perceptions of reality and invites reflection on alternative futures. Co-curators O’Hara and Qualischefski explain that POSTWORLD emerged from a decade-long artistic postal collaboration, where over 70 works on paper developed an evolving visual language of “humour, dread, panic and joy.” As the world changes, so too does this artistic narrative, resisting fear and chaos with moments of stillness, awe, and appreciation.
Local Impact
Townsville’s Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts played a pivotal role in shaping POSTWORLD, reinforcing the city’s influence on national contemporary art conversations. The exhibition highlights Queensland-based artists, including Neil Binnie, Gail Mabo, Ron McBurnie, Jenny Mulcahy, Catherine Parker, David Rowe, Stephen Spurrier, and Rhonda Stevens, amplifying the state’s artistic voices on a national stage.
By the Numbers
- POSTWORLD features 11 Australian artists, representing diverse states and territories.
- The exhibition stems from a 10-year postal art collaboration, with over 70 works on paper forming a unique visual language.
- The show runs for 58 days at Manning Regional Art Gallery, offering free public entry.
Zoom In
Townsville’s role in POSTWORLD extends beyond curatorial involvement, showcasing local and Queensland-based artists in a thought-provoking exhibition. The project exemplifies Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts’ commitment to supporting experimental, conceptual, and regional artistic practices.
Zoom Out
Art as a medium for exploring existential, environmental, and social themes continues to gain traction, with POSTWORLD serving as an important commentary on the Anthropocene, capitalism, and gender perspectives. This national tour connects audiences across Australia with a shared visual dialogue of alternate realities.
What to Look for Next?
POSTWORLD officially opens at Manning Regional Art Gallery on Friday, 14 March 2025, at 6 PM, with free entry for all visitors. As the tour progresses, it will engage diverse communities in thought-provoking discussions, with potential future showcases at other national venues.
