There are many examples of Brisbane defining itself by its warm and humid climate. From the early 20^th century, organisations such as the Queensland Government Tourist Bureau (established in 1907) began to capitalise on the city’s climate and geographic location to promote Brisbane to the world. Using images of the sun, fruits, flowers and waterways to depict a destination of subtropical leisure and sunshine, promotional material began to selectively piece together an identity that would continue to represent the city for decades to come.

Brisbane’s contemporary artists continue to create their own representations of subtropical Brisbane. City in the Sun (19 June 2021 – 18 April 2022) featured artists who work with constructed realities, carefully staged photography, layered visual symbols and tactile experiences to capture ideas of identity and place.

By challenging, reclaiming, celebrating and moving beyond the carefully constructed tourist images of the city, these artists considered who and what is missing from those interpretations. Each shared their diverse perspective, presenting alternative views of Brisbane: ones that strove for a more genuine connection with place and the city’s complex identity and histories.