The world's only major exhibition series focused exclusively on the contemporary art of Asia, the Pacific, and Australia, transforming Brisbane into a dynamic crossroads of cultural exchange every three years.
The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT) is Australia's flagship international contemporary art event and remains the only major exhibition series in the world to focus exclusively on the contemporary art of Asia, the Pacific, and Australia. Established in 1993, the APT has become a vital platform for cultural dialogue and artistic exchange across this vast and diverse region.
Presented by the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) in Brisbane, the Triennial transforms both gallery buildings every three years with a bold, forward-thinking approach to examining how contemporary artists address questions of geography, history, and culture. Each edition reconsiders the complexity of the region through new curatorial perspectives and artistic voices.
The APT is distinguished by its extensive acquisition program and commissioning focus, allowing the Gallery to build one of the world's most significant collections of contemporary Asian and Pacific art in tandem with the exhibition series. With each iteration attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors, the Triennial offers audiences unparalleled access to the most exciting and important developments in contemporary art from Australia's neighboring regions.
The Asia Pacific Triennial has evolved a distinctive institutional approach that sets it apart from other international art exhibitions. Rather than following the common model of appointing independent guest curators, the APT is developed through an in-house curatorial team with specialized knowledge of the region, working in close collaboration with artists, advisors, and communities throughout Asia and the Pacific.
This approach has enabled QAGOMA to build long-term relationships and deep expertise that extends beyond the exhibition cycle. The Gallery has developed substantial networks across the region, facilitating ongoing research, cultural exchange, and institutional partnerships that inform both the Triennial and broader collection development strategies.
At the core of the APT's institutional philosophy is a commitment to presenting contemporary art in ways that respect its cultural contexts while fostering cross-cultural dialogue. This means working closely with artists to realize ambitious projects, engaging with local knowledge systems, and creating platforms where multiple perspectives can coexist.
"The APT was speculative and not risk-averse. We sought to engage people directly... Above all, we wanted to connect the ideas and the institution to people in a collegial sense."
This institutional approach has positioned the APT as more than just a recurring exhibition—it represents an ongoing project of cultural engagement that has significantly influenced how Australian audiences understand their place within the Asia-Pacific region, while also contributing to international dialogue around contemporary art practice in these diverse cultural contexts.
The Asia Pacific Triennial emerged at a pivotal moment in Australia's cultural orientation toward its geographic region. In the early 1990s, as Australia was increasingly recognizing its economic and political connections to Asia, there was a corresponding cultural shift toward deeper engagement with its neighbors. The APT was conceived by Doug Hall, then Director of the Queensland Art Gallery, as a bold initiative to address the lack of institutional focus on contemporary Asian art in Western museums.
What began as an ambitious exhibition in 1993 has evolved into a cornerstone of Australian cultural life and a significant event on the international art calendar. The success of the APT played a crucial role in the development of Queensland Art Gallery's second site, the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), which opened in 2006 to provide expanded space for presenting the Triennial and housing the growing collection of contemporary Asian and Pacific art.
Inaugural Asia Pacific Triennial launches with works by 76 artists from South-East Asia, East Asia, and the South Pacific
Second APT expands to include artists from India, Korea and Vietnam, establishing a broader regional scope
Third APT introduces site-specific commissions, including Cai Guo-Qiang's "Bridge Crossing" installation
Fourth APT incorporates major acquisitions including Yayoi Kusama's "Narcissus Garden" installation
Fifth APT coincides with the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), expanding the exhibition's scale and ambition
Sixth APT introduces new focus on indigenous communities and traditional influences in contemporary art
Seventh APT marks the 20th anniversary of the series with special archival projects and expanded public programs
Ninth APT draws over 600,000 visitors, confirming its position as one of Australia's most popular art events
Tenth APT adapts to global pandemic challenges with innovative approaches to international collaboration
Eleventh APT expands to include artists from Saudi Arabia, Timor-Leste and Uzbekistan for the first time
Throughout its history, the APT has continuously evolved its approach to regional engagement, gradually expanding its geographic scope, developing innovative exhibition formats, and deepening its involvement with diverse artistic communities. From an initial focus on East and Southeast Asia, the exhibition has grown to encompass the entire Asia-Pacific region, including Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands, reflecting the complex and fluid nature of regional identities and cultural connections.
Rather than imposing a single overarching theme, each edition of the APT approaches the diversity of the Asia-Pacific region through multiple conceptual frameworks and lines of inquiry. This approach acknowledges the impossibility of representing such vast cultural terrain through any single curatorial narrative, instead creating a polyphonic exhibition that reveals connections and contrasts between different artistic perspectives.
Nevertheless, several recurring themes have emerged across the APT's history, reflecting persistent concerns and creative approaches in contemporary art practice throughout the region:
Exploring how contemporary artists engage with traditional cultural practices, materials, and knowledge systems, often transforming or recontextualizing them to address present-day concerns.
Examining the rapid urbanization of Asian cities and its social, environmental, and cultural impacts, from the demolition of historic neighborhoods to the emergence of new urban identities.
Investigating experiences of displacement, cultural hybridity, and transnational identity through the work of artists navigating between different cultural contexts and histories.
Addressing environmental challenges through artistic practices that draw on both traditional ecological knowledge and contemporary scientific understanding.
The 11th edition of the APT (2024-25) continues this thematic multiplicity while placing particular emphasis on how we care for natural and urban environments, protect and revive cultural heritage, and explore how histories of migration and labor shape contemporary experience. By weaving together these diverse conceptual threads, the Triennial creates a rich tapestry of artistic expression that reflects the complexity and dynamism of the Asia-Pacific region today.
Throughout its history, the APT has featured landmark works by many of Asia and the Pacific's most significant contemporary artists, while also providing a platform for emerging voices. The exhibition's commissioning program has enabled the creation of ambitious new projects that might not otherwise be possible, many of which have subsequently entered the Gallery's permanent collection.
This iconic installation of 2,000 stainless steel balls was acquired for APT4 and remains one of the Gallery's most popular works, reflecting the artist's ongoing exploration of infinity and reflection.
A site-specific installation combining bamboo, rope, a rainmaking device, an aluminum boat, and laser sensors to create an interactive bridge that responded to visitors' movements.
A dramatic chandelier-like structure of glass lustres, plated steel, and LED lamps commissioned for APT5, reflecting the artist's engagement with traditional Chinese craftsmanship and contemporary political issues.
A stunning series of 12 oil on copper panels created for APT10, exploring environmental themes and the relationship between humans and the ocean through meticulous craftsmanship.
These works exemplify the APT's commitment to presenting diverse artistic approaches and supporting ambitious creative projects. By bringing together traditional craftsmanship, technological innovation, and conceptual depth, these commissions have helped to define the Triennial's identity while enriching QAGOMA's collection with significant contemporary works from across the region.
A distinctive feature of the Asia Pacific Triennial is its dedicated programming for children and families, developed through the Gallery's Children's Art Centre. For each edition of the APT, the Centre commissions interactive projects and activities created in collaboration with participating artists, designed specifically for younger audiences.
The APT Kids program transforms complex artistic concepts into engaging, hands-on experiences that invite children to explore the diverse cultures and creative practices of the Asia-Pacific region. These projects often involve making, multimedia interactives, and opportunities for children to reflect on the experiences of others through drawing and storytelling.
Recent editions have featured interactive installations, creative workshops, and digital activities that allow children to engage with traditional crafts, contemporary technologies, and cultural narratives in accessible and meaningful ways. The APT Kids program extends the Triennial's reach beyond the Gallery through its regional touring initiative, bringing these artist-developed activities to communities throughout Queensland.
The Children's Art Centre's approach emphasizes direct collaboration between artists and young audiences, creating genuine opportunities for cross-cultural understanding and creative expression. By engaging children as active participants rather than passive viewers, these projects foster a lifelong appreciation for contemporary art while building bridges between different cultural perspectives and experiences.
Since the opening of the Gallery of Modern Art in 2006, the Australian Cinémathèque has been an integral component of the Asia Pacific Triennial, presenting curated film programs that complement and extend the exhibition's exploration of contemporary culture in the region.
For each edition of the Triennial, the Cinémathèque develops comprehensive film programs that showcase established and emerging filmmakers from across Asia and the Pacific. These programs range from career retrospectives of influential directors to thematic explorations of cinematic movements and national film cultures.
The APT11 Cinema program includes five distinct strands exploring central Asian cinema and futurism on screen, alongside comprehensive career surveys of prominent film directors including Tsai Ming-liang, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, and Kamila Andini, providing audiences with a unique opportunity to engage with cinematic traditions that are rarely screened in Australia.
As the only dedicated cinema facility in an Australian art museum, the Australian Cinémathèque plays a vital role in expanding the APT's cultural scope beyond the visual arts. By presenting film as an integral part of contemporary cultural expression, these programs enrich understanding of the complex creative landscape across the Asia-Pacific region while highlighting connections between different artistic disciplines and traditions.
Explore the atmosphere and impact of the Asia Pacific Triennial through this video showcase, offering a glimpse into the exhibition's diverse artistic presentations and engaging public programs.
Explore critical perspectives and insights on the Asia Pacific Triennial through these selected articles from leading art publications and critics.
An examination of how the APT has transformed Australia's cultural relationship with its regional neighbors and reshaped institutional approaches to contemporary Asian and Pacific art.
Analysis of how the APT negotiates the complex cultural geographies of Asia and the Pacific, challenging conventional regional categorizations while fostering new forms of dialogue.
A look at how the latest edition of the Triennial embraces technological innovation while remaining grounded in cultural specificity and artistic vision.
The Asia Pacific Triennial takes place across both buildings of QAGOMA – the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) – located in Brisbane's Cultural Precinct at South Bank.