“No Expectations,” is a First Nations Art Exhibition in collaboration with the Brisbane Street Art Festival. This exhibition challenges conventional expectations of Indigenous artistry, inviting you to explore the diverse and dynamic expressions of First Nations artists.

Through an eclectic array of styles and mediums, “No Expectations” celebrates the individuality and creativity of Indigenous artists, highlighting their unique perspectives and contributions to contemporary art. By showcasing a range of artistic voices, this exhibition seeks to redefine perceptions of Indigenous art, prompting viewers to ponder the question: What does it mean to be a First Nations artist in today’s world?

Join us on a journey of discovery as we explore the richness and complexity of Indigenous creativity. “No Expectations” invites you to engage with art that challenges, inspires, and ultimately celebrates the power of cultural expression.

*Some of the works in this exhibition may be for mature audiences.

Click HERE to shop No Expectations

“Within These Walls” facilitates a deeper look into Brisbane’s art scene, moving beyond the iconic murals that are at the heart of the festival and exploring various other creative mediums.

With the intersection of different creative fields, Within These Walls Exhibition is a fantastic platform for artists and the local community to engage – meeting artists of diverse disciplines and opening your eyes to the rich and vibrant talent that make up the current Brisbane Street Art scene.

Unlike the communal and public nature of street art that is often fixed across various locations, most pieces exhibited within ‘Within These Walls’ will be available for purchase, offering the opportunity for anyone and everyone to take home an eye-catching piece of the festival whilst showing their support for local artists.

This exhibition will be open between 9am – 2pm from Monday – Sunday across the duration of the festival period, with the opening night happening in conjunction with the Festival Launch Party on May 4th.

*Some of the works in this exhibition may be for mature audiences

MESSAGE FROM THE CURATOR

“After an unexpected and humbling response to Cognitive Dissonance, I’m pleased to announce a closing show as well as a 1 Hour discussion about the work itself.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reflecting on the stories shared from you all. The individual interpretations and conversations sparked from curiosity , created a feeling I’m so grateful to have witnessed.

Thank you all for the love and motivation to keep creating. Hope to see you Sunday.”

Closing Show from 2pm – 6pm.

Artist Discussion with Jordache Gage from 2pm – 3pm.

COGNITIVE DISSONANCE is a multi-sensory installation, performance and exhibition created by Brisbane Artists’ Jordache and Makeshift One. An immersive installation portraying two young men and their story of recognising the traits of cognitive dissonance.  Documented through paintings and spoken word, Jordache and Makeshift One invite you into a new world of experiencing old habits.

Returning to BSAF in 2023 for its eighth year, ‘Within These Walls’ facilitates a deeper look into Brisbane’s art scene, moving beyond the iconic murals that are at the heart of the festival and exploring various other creative mediums.

With the intersection of different creative fields, Within These Walls Exhibition is a fantastic platform for artists and the local community to engage – meeting artists of diverse disciplines and opening your eyes to the rich and vibrant talent that make up the current Brisbane Street Art scene.

Unlike the communal and public nature of street art that is often fixed across various locations, most pieces exhibited within ‘Within These Walls’ will be available for purchase, offering the opportunity for anyone and everyone to take home an eye-catching piece of the festival whilst showing their support for local artists.

This exhibition will be open on weekends between 11am to 5pm across the duration of the festival period, with the opening night happening in conjunction with the Festival Launch Party on May 6th. 

*Some of the works in this exhibition may be for mature audiences.

COGNITIVE DISSONANCE is a multi-sensory installation, performance and exhibition created by Brisbane Artists’ Jordache and Makeshift One. An immersive installation portraying two young men and their story of recognising the traits of cognitive dissonance.  Documented through paintings and spoken word, Jordache and Makeshift One invite you into a new world of experiencing old habits.

“Still Here” exhibits a range of multidisciplinary works from *local First Nations artists.

This exhibit, hosted by the Brisbane Street Art Festival and curated by artist, Desirai, aims to celebrate and recognise First Nations artists as they express culture and cultural identity using a variety of mediums. “Still Here” showcases First Nations artists and the continuation of storytelling traditions within a modern world. Works will be shown from First Nations digital, contemporary and traditional artists.

It is important that we come together to celebrate and recognise First Nations people, culture and achievements at any point in time and not just the set calendar dates.

About the Curator

Desirai Saunders is a Gunggari woman who predominantly practices digital illustration art and character design using Procreate and Adobe Fresco. Her artworks are sometimes extensions of her emotional states. Expressing innermost thoughts and feelings around cultural identity in the form of quirky characters. For her culture is like an invisible, electrical current constantly buzzing within us. Sometimes this current feels stronger and other times it rests at a comforting hum.

The idea for this exhibit was hatched one evening at Superordinary HQ when discussing the frustration around certain opportunities only becoming available for First Nations artists during certain calendar dates. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture are here all year round – stop waiting for certain times of the year to bring us out of the woodwork. We are ‘Still Here’.

Returning to BSAF in 2022 for its seventh year, ‘Within These Walls’ facilitates a deeper look into Brisbane’s art scene, moving beyond the iconic murals that are at the heart of the festival and exploring various other creative mediums.

With the intersection of different creative fields, Within These Walls Exhibition is a fantastic platform for artists and the local community to engage – meeting artists of diverse disciplines and opening your eyes to the rich and vibrant talent that make up the current Brisbane Street Art scene.

Unlike the communal and public nature of street art that is often fixed across various locations, most pieces exhibited within ‘Within These Walls’ will be available for purchase, offering the opportunity for anyone and everyone to take home an eye-catching piece of the festival whilst showing their support for local artists.

This exhibition will be open for the duration of the festival period, with the Opening Night happening in conjunction with the Festival Launch Party on May 7th.

Please note: This exhibition is part of a paid ticketed event for Now is Nigh on May 21

Some of the works in this exhibition may be for mature audiences.

In mid-2021 renowned Hong Kong street art festival organisation HKwalls launched ‘Tools of the Trade’, an intimate insight into the historically hidden world of graffiti and street art. This year, BSAF is proud to be collaborating with HKwalls in the first international exhibit of ‘Tools of the Trade’, here at Brisbane’s Superordinary Northshore, which will run for the duration of the festival’s two-week program.

‘Tools of the Trade’ documents the tools, traditions, and techniques that have facilitated the works of street artists for the last seventy years. From early stencils and spray cans to the introduction and integration of complex and modern technology, this exhibition offers up a rare and incredibly diverse glimpse into the practical demands of street art.

Please note: This exhibition is part of a paid ticketed event for Now is Nigh on May 21

BSAF are thrilled to welcome House of Iris into the 2022 program, with their latest exhibition available to the public for the duration of the festival at our Superordinary Northshore venue, launching on Saturday May 7th.

House of Iris launched in 2021 as a photography event curated by renowned Brisbane-based photographers Macami and Luis Campbell. While both curators have achieved broad success and recognition within the industry, the two really bookend the industry style-wise, with Macami’s distinctive crisp neon studio look, and Luis Campbell’s softer earthy analogue work. With such drastically oppositional creative lenses through which to view the industry, the two have a unique and diverse curatorial approach, making the ‘House of Iris’ event a gorgeously broad and inclusive look at Brisbane’s established and emerging photographers.

Please note: This exhibition is part of a paid ticketed event for Now is Nigh on May 21

Some of the works in this exhibition may be for mature audiences.