APT7 exhibition to boost Brisbane visitor numbers

The 7th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT7) exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Art Gallery is expected to be a drawcard for more than 100,000 interstate and overseas visitors to Queensland this summer.

Queensland Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said the exhibition, which is on display from 8th December 2012 to 14th April 2013, will celebrate 20 years of the APT, the only exhibition series of Australian, Asian and Pacific contemporary art in the world.

Minister Stuckey explained "since 1993, the six APT exhibitions have attracted more than 1.8 million visitors"For the seventh APT exhibition we are expecting more than 100,000 visitors with over 30% from interstate or overseas, which means a great boost for tourism and Queensland's economy."

Minister Stuckey said APT7 will kick off a big year for cultural tourism in Queensland. The national exclusive of The Bolshoi Ballet will be presented at QPAC from 30th May to 9th June 2013.

APT7 features the work of more than 70 artists and artist groups from 27 countries across the region.

Visitors will be able to view Chinese artist Huang Yong Ping's 54-metre long snake skeleton suspended over the Queensland Art Gallery's Watermall; Raqib Shaw's nine-metre long painting embellished with rhinestones and glitter; and Richard Maloy's huge Big Yellow 2012 installation that will take over the river end of GOMA's ground floor.

For more information go to www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/apt7