The Love of Life

Overview

In two locations around Brisbane throughout August, familiar spaces have been transformed by Japanese artists. In both, labyrinths of art have sprung up, too. By now, you should well and truly know about the Gallery of Modern Art's stunning Chiharu Shiota: The Soul Trembles exhibition. You should've already visited it, in fact. But over at Brisbane Quarter, there's another showcase worth your attention.

Brisbane-based talents Mabina Alaka, Ken Kikkawa and Hiroaki Eba have turned Brisbane Quarter into a forest filled with floral, clay and fabric creations, all to celebrate the beauty of nature. You'll find their work, dubbed The Love of Life, on the podium level one at the George Street spot — and it's free to see from 7am–8pm daily until Wednesday, August 31.

Alaka's contributions use vintage Kimono fabrics, Japanese cotton and traditional Japanese paper, while ceramic artist Kikkawa has created three different trees — a wish tree, an octopus tree and a green dragon tree. Thanks to Eba, you'll also peer at floral pieces and three other trees, including one with orchids, another inspired by Australian native plants and a third decked out with clay frogs.

Fancy grabbing a drink while you're there? Tenya Japanese Restaurant is doing Love of Life cocktails for the month, too, as made with white rum, watermelon and violet liqueur.

Images: Claudia Baxter.