Fairy Tales Festival

Overview

Step inside Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art this summer and you'll be whisked away to another world where forests sprawl, mirrors beckon and otherworldly creatures linger, all thanks to the South Brisbane venue's entrancing Fairy Tales exhibition. Head along specifically across Friday, January 19–Sunday, January 21, however, and you'll find a Fairy Tales Festival taking over the site — making an already-magical way to spend a few hours even more entrancing.

Like the exhibition — plus much in its accompanying movie program — the three-day fest is an all-ages affair. Catering to attendees big and small, it spans pop-up performances, drop-in drawing sessions, storytelling and other activities over one big weekend. The centrepiece is still the items and art lining the gallery's walls, including pieces by Yayoi Kusama and Patricia Piccinini, as well as a costume that David Bowie wore in Labyrinth, but you can pair your wander through the halls with getting interactive.

Henrique Oliveira, Brazil b.1973 / Corupira 2023, commissioned for 'Fairy Tales', installation (detail), Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) Brisbane 2023 / Plywood, tapumes veneer and tree branches / Courtesy: Henrique Oliveira / © Henrique Oliveira / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA

Once Upon a Chime, aka Patience Hodgson, Joel Woods and Lake Kelly, will be singing fairy tale-inspired tunes on the Maiwar Green Stage twice daily. A Villain's Tale will also hit up the same spot, with the performance told by a misunderstood villain. They're both free to attend, and you don't need a ticket to Fairy Tales itself to enjoy them. The same is true of watching Jim Henson's The StoryTeller television series at GOMA's Australian Cinematheque.

That said, some parts of the fest do require an entry pass for the exhibition, such as hearing Brisbane Fairy Tale Ring reimagine classic fairy tales in the River Room — and picking up a pencil.

Costumes (costumier) / 'Yellow dress with hood' costume from Mirror Mirror 2012, installed in 'Fairy Tales', Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane 2023 / Silk taffeta, polyester, nylon tulle, synthetic taffeta / Collection: The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA

Top image: Anish Kapoor, India/England b.1954 / Red and Black Mist Magenta 2018, installed in 'Fairy Tales', Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane 2023 / Stainless steel, lacquer / Collection: The artist / © Anish Kapoor. DACS/Copyright Agency, 2023 / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA.