Townsville City Galleries Exhibitions | January - July 2025
EXHIBITIONS
January – July 2025
Townsville City Galleries
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Townsville City Council acknowledges the Wulgurukaba of Gurambilbarra and Yunbenun, Bindal, Gugu Badhun and Nywaigi as the Traditional Owners of this land. We pay our respects to their cultures, their ancestors and their Elders, past, present and all future generations.
HAHA, Faces of Townsville 2015/2024 Commissioned by Townsville City Council in partnership with the property owner in 2015 Re-painted by the artist in 2024, with inclusions of additional identities City of Townsville Art in Public Spaces Collection
Townsville City Galleries
EXHIBITIONS
January – July 2025
Image courtesy of Townsville City Galleries
Photography by Andrew Rankin
Image courtesy of Townsville City Galleries
Photography by Andrew Rankin
AT A GLANCE
NORTH QUEENSLAND CERAMIC AWARDS
UNTIL 16 FEBRUARY 2025
PERC TUCKER REGIONAL GALLERY
The Biennial North Queensland Ceramic Awards has long aimed to increase public exposure to a high standard of pottery from around the nation. A showcase for both well-known and emerging artists, this competition displays the diversity of ceramic art currently being produced in Australia.
The City of Townsville Art Collection Award of $10,000 continues to provide both the opportunity for artists to become a part of one of the nation’s most significant ceramic collections, as well as ensuring the continued growth of this important subsection of the City of Townsville Art Collection.
Presenting Partner Sponsors
2024 biennial North Queensland Ceramic Awards
Image courtesy Townsville City Galleries
Photography: Budd Photography
Sarah Ormonde, Field Notes from Home, 2024
YUCKY YUM YUM
UNTIL 9 MARCH 2025
PERC TUCKER REGIONAL GALLERY
Do you love eating treats in fake rainbow colours, even though they may be bad for you? Do you like watching Reels of objects being squished, or even people popping their pimples?
Even if you answered "no way!" to all the above, you would know that some things can be both disgusting and enjoyable. Or they can be sad but also a bit funny. Sometimes we even desire things because they are scary or dangerous.
The artists in this exhibition have made works that you might find both yucky and yum. Hopefully, the art sparks your senses. It may ignite your emotions and memories too.
This exhibition features artists who live in Townsville and around Australia, as well as overseas. They are: Ebony Russell, Elizabeth Willing, the Hotham Street Ladies, Jan Hynes, Jenny Orchard, Julia deVille, Kenny Pittock, Lisa Ashcroft, Mechelle Bounpraseuth, Scott Redford and Smac McCreanor.
Kenny Pittock, Bubble O’Bill from 100 Ice-creams, 2023 Painted ceramic Collection Bendigo Art Gallery, purchased with support from the Heather Williams Trust, 2023 Image courtesy the artist, MARS Gallery and Olsen Gallery
6 DECEMBER 2024 – 23 FEBRUARY 2025
PINNACLES GALLERY
Showcasing six moving image artworks by Australian artists, this exhibition celebrates ACMI’s vibrant collecting and commissioning program.
Working in video offers artists the opportunity to use editing as their primary technique; mixing and matching elements from other films or their own work to tell new stories. By remixing or rearranging footage they build different rhythms and moods, create hilarious juxtapositions or shed new light on cultural cliches and presumed histories. The works in this exhibition all demonstrate an irrepressible desire to bring deep themes to the surface with humour and an incredible attention to detail.
Reflect on the year that was through the eyes of the nation’s best political cartoonists with a visit to Behind the Lines at Pinnacles Gallery. This retrospective exhibition uses the passion and spectacle of sport as a powerful metaphor to explore the key political issues and current affairs that defined 2024.
Megan Herbert No Guts, No Glory
Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House 28 November 2024
6 April – 24 August 2025
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
Presented by Townsville City Galleries. Created by the V&A - touring the world.
Exclusive to Australia in 2025, Wedgwood: Artists and Industry showcases highlights from over 200 years of Wedgwood ceramics and design — straight from the UK’s Victoria and Albert Museum (V & A).
Be among the first in the world to experience Wedgwood: Artists and Industry before tickets sell out.
TUESDAY TO FRIDAY:
Session 1: Entry between 10am – 1.30pm Session 2: Entry between 1.30pm – 4.30pm
SATURDAY & SUNDAY: Entry between 10am - 1pm
First Edition copy
What’s On Townsville
of the Portland Vase, Josiah Wedgwood and sons, 1790-94
Photo courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum, London
DINE & SIP
Dine on a light lunch or afternoon tea served on Wedgwood.
Sip a cool beverage from a Waterford goblet.
Head to the Wedgwood: Artists and Industry cafe and bar, located just metres from the gallery at Restaurant 1889 at The Brewery.
SHOP
Purchase items exclusively on sale at the gallery’s shop.
Take home sumptuous V&A gifts, or products from our locally made range.
Please note that these items are not available to be purchased online from the gallery.
GROUP TOURS
Townsville City Galleries is pleased to offer guided tours of Wedgwood: Artists and Industry for groups of 5 participants and above.
Tours will last 30-45 minutes and will give patrons an overview of the exhibition on display. Enquire online at whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au.
What’s On Townsville
Minerva’s Helmet, Josiah Wedgwood and sons, 1885
Photo courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum, London
LEAGUES
CURATED BY BRADLEY VINCENT
FOR TOWNSVILLE CITY GALLERIES
3 JULY – 19 OCTOBER 2025
PINNACLES GALLERY
Rugby League is arguably Australia’s national game. It’s certainly Queensland’s game of choice. And for Townsville and the surrounding regions, it is a part of weekly life. From junior clubs and local community teams through to the spectacle of the mighty North Queensland Cowboys, the game, with its working-class roots and broad reach, is much more than just a sport to its many followers.
Leagues will celebrate the modern game and its place in our lives. This brand-new exhibition brings together some of the country’s leading contemporary artists who have created artworks that capture the power and the passion, the glory and the grunt, of rugby league and reflect on the many ways that the game shapes our communities.
Bold, brash and colourful, this Townsville exclusive exhibition will feature newly commissioned artworks immortalising local Cowboys heroes, alongside works that reflect the reach of the game across the country and beyond. A must see for any league fan and for lovers of contemporary art alike, Leagues features artworks from Billy Bain, Yuriyal Bridgeman, Weaver Hawkins, Samuel Hodge, Samuel Leighton-Dore, Kate Mitchell, Jason Phu and design duo Romance Was Born (Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales).
Weaver Hawkins (England/Australia 1893-1977)
Dance of the football 1947 oil on canvas on cardboard
Prepare to be captivated by North Queensland's premier public art event— Ephemera 2025: Trace-less, set against the stunning backdrop of TownsvilleGurambilbarra’s, The Strand. The theme, “Trace-less”, invites reflection on the relationship between place, Country, and the environment. As the theme suggests, artists have embraced ideas of the transitory, raising awareness and leaving less of a trace on our environment.
This year, Ephemera 2025 introduces an exciting new competitive category for young artists and school groups, joining the established open competitive category. With over 28 dynamic public artworks from local, national, and international artists, alongside an engaging program of activities and workshops, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Ephemera is curated and coordinated by Townsville City Galleries, with the valuable support of a dedicated volunteer task force.
India Collins, Jellyfish Journey, 2022
Ephemera 2023 Competitive Artist
by Andrew Rankin
Photography
1 People’s Choice Award 25 Competitive entries
Artist Walking Tour
9am, Saturday 19 July 2025 starting at The Strand Rockpool Launch Event 6pm, Saturday 19 July 2025 Strand Park Beach
Our Friends of the Galleries membership program will keep our members up to date on gallery opportunities and news, as well as offering discounts and advanced bookings on our programs.
Friends of the Galleries can engage in a range of activities that go beyond just visiting and viewing, offering opportunities to engage with local artists, art enthusiasts, volunteers, and supporters of the arts in our region.
Benefits include:
• Invitations to all opening functions throughout the year
• Advance invitations to Townsville City Galleries events including artist talks, workshops, tours and lectures
• Monthly e-newsletter to keep up to date on the latest galleries news
• Membership exclusive events at the galleries
• 30% discount on paid events
• 10% discount on all items available in our Gallery Shop
• 10% discount on Townsville City Council’s Theatre Season at the Townsville Civic Theatre.
The membership season runs from 1 November – 31 October*. Our Friends of the Galleries play an important role in our galleries with their ongoing support for our exhibitions, events, and activities, and we look forward to sharing our new and exciting programs with you!
Single membership price is $45, or $30 with a Concession card.
*All memberships commence 1 November and run until 31 October the following year.
Sign up now to become a member!
K Friends of the Galleries
Image courtesy of Townsville City Galleries
GALLERIES E-NEWSLETTER
Free monthly email updates are available with specific information on exhibitions, workshops, events, and more. Scan the QR code and select Galleries as the e-news you would like to receive.
WALKING TRAIL
AUGMENTED REALITY EDITION
Discover the many amazing street art murals Townsville has to offer by taking a self-guided walking tour of the city using the Street Art Walking Trail: Augmented Reality edition map. Watch out for augmented reality stickers near the street art murals and use your smartphone to transform the artworks into an augmented reality dreamscape.
The city’s street art scene is constantly evolving, so keep your eyes peeled for new works not on this map and follow Townsville City Galleries on social media to stay up to date. Collect your FREE copy of the map available at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery or scan the QR Code.
K Townsville Street Art Walking Trail
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Are you looking for a fun and engaging way to explore the arts?
Look no further, as Townsville City Galleries offers a wide range of education opportunities and public programs in conjunction with our gallery exhibitions, including educational programs, gallery tours, workshops, launches, and events.
Scan the QR code below to find out more about what we have on offer!
Townsville City Galleries
TownsvilleCityGalleries
K What's On Townsville
Image courtesy of Townsville City Galleries Photography by Andrew Rankin
Hand-painted Urn, Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY at Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, 2023
Photo courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
Cnr Denham and Flinders Street,
Townsville QLD 4810
(07) 4727 9011
Pinnacles Gallery
Riverway Arts Centre 20 Village Boulevard, Thuringowa Central QLD 4817 (07) 4773 8871
STAY CONNECTED Townsville City Galleries
TownsvilleCityGalleries townsville.qld.gov.au
galleries@townsville.qld.gov.au
Hand-painted Urn, Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY at Josiah Wedgwood and Sons, 2023
Photo courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum, London
