Our exhibition history
Since the first days of the Griffith University Art Collection, art exhibitions have been a primary focus. In the mid 1970s, most of the Art Collection was on display in locations around the University campuses. A dedicated exhibition space was allocated on the University's first Campus in the 1970s ‘The Central Theatres Gallery’ and became the primary exhibition space for artists in residence and the Art Collection until the late 1990s.
Works from the Griffith University Art Collection continue to be displayed through our On Campus Exhibition Program across the University’s campuses. In 2001 the Art Museum opened its purpose built public art gallery at South Bank, within Brisbane’s cultural precinct. Exhibitions include both touring and curated shows, with the gallery welcoming visitors year-round.
Our past exhibition spaces
In the mid 1970s exhibitions were held in the Brisbane South (Nathan) Library Foyer. With the popularity of the early exhibitions, Griffith University allocated a permanent exhibition space to be used for a rotating selection of the University Art Collection and work by visiting artists.
This period also saw the start of our On Campus Exhibition Program, displaying the Griffith University Art Collection for staff and students across all campuses.
With the popularity of the Art Collection exhibitions around campus, the University designated the Central Theatres Foyer as a permanent gallery space in the late 1970s.
And with the Griffith University Artist Residencies at their peak in the 1980s, the Central Theatres Gallery was put to good use with exhibitions featuring the artwork created and often inspired by the Brisbane South (Nathan) Campus. Between these exhibitions, new acquistions and curated works from the growing Art Collection were put on display, much to the joy of students and staff.
Over the past 50 years, offsite exhibitions have been hosted at venues including the State Library of Queensland, Brisbane City Hall and the Magazine Space (Eagle Street Pier).
Image: re collection: The Griffith University Art Collection - 25 Years, Brisbane City Hall Gallery, 1996.
The new millennium saw the finalisation of our new purpose-build Art Gallery site, co-located with the new College of Art campus, finally opening in 2001.
Image: Griffith University Art Museum, exterior, 2023. Photo: Patrick Lester
1975 - 1985
Library Foyer | Central Theatres Gallery
1986 - 1990
The Central Theatres Gallery
1991 - 1995
The Central Theatres Gallery
1996 - 2000
The Central Theatres Gallery
2001 - 2003
QCA Gallery
2004 - 2005
QCA Gallery | DELL GALLERY @ QCA
2006 - 2008
DELL Gallery @ QCA | Foyer Gallery
2009 - 2010
Queensland College of Art Gallery | Griffith University Art Gallery
2011 - 2015
Griffith University Art Gallery
2016 - 2020
Griffith University Art Museum
2021 - 2025
Griffith University Art Museum
Current exhibition
Collecting the Future: 50 years of the Griffith University Art Collection
1996
2003
2004
2005
- True Colours: New Work from Fitzroy Crossing
- Blur
- Zootopia: Posters from the Urban Jungle
- SESSERAE: The Works of Dennis Nona
- Material Evidence: Jenny Watson
- Future Tense: Security and Human Rights
- Place Made: The 色情网站n Printmaking Workshop Survey
- QPACifika: A Cultural Conversation
- Contextes: Paintings by Jacques Pasquier
- The 2005 Thiess Prize
2007
2008
- Gifted: New to the Griffith University Art Collection
- Margaret Olley: Honoris Causa Survey Exhibition 1964 - 2007
- Joachim Froese: Portrait of My Mother
- Michael Callaghan: A Survey 1987 - 2006
- Ian Burns: It’s All Good
- Open DAZE: Viewer and Artist Thresholds
- Darby Jampijinpa Ross: Make It Good for the People
- Jon Cattapan: Possible Histories / Valley Nights
- The Graduate Art Show (GAS) 2008
2009
2011
2012
2013
2015
2016
2017
2019
2020
2021
2023
2024
Celebrating 50 years
Copyright Statement
Where known, all works of art displayed on the site are accurately described and attributed with the creator's name and where possible, approved by the copyright owner or their agents. If there is any inaccuracy, please contact the Art Museum. Images and text on this website may not be reproduced, downloaded, copied, published, used on other websites or emailed without permission, unless allowed under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwth), (e.g. for the purposes of research and study). Please refer to Griffith University's Copyright Guide. Requests for copyright, reproduction, publication or amendment should be made in writing to the Art Museum. We are always pleased to hear from members of the public who may have additional information about works in the Collection or our historical archive.
Cultural Sensitivity Advice
Griffith University Art Museum respectfully advises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that this database includes images, works and names of deceased peoples and may include images of artistic, cultural or intellectual property of a sensitive nature. This database may also contain perspectives that reflect the period in which items were created. While this information may not reflect current understanding, it is provided in an historical context.