When schools closed during Queensland’s lockdown in early 2020, life became very different for everyone, especially for young people. Children were at home more than usual, routines were different, playdates were cancelled and lessons moved from the classroom to the home. As the coronavirus pandemic began to unfold, the Gallery of Children’s Art (GoCA) asked children across Queensland: “what is different?”. From kindergartens to primary schools, this question prompted students to reflect and respond to their changing global, local and personal situations through art, helping them to express their ideas and emotions.
Over 100 amazing artworks were submitted to GoCA by children aged 3 – 12. This online exhibition displays a curated selection, giving insight into the creative expression of young people in the face of crisis. Museum of Brisbane and GoCA thank all participating children for their valued artworks, full of innovation, humour and heart.
We invite you to create your own artwork about what was different in 2020, and to share it with us! #mobwhatisdifferent
Click on the artworks to learn more, hear from the artists or read their stories.
What is Different? was created in collaboration with Gallery of Children’s Art (GoCA), with the creative support of Inkahoots Design. Museum of Brisbane thank all participating students for their contribution.
Thank you to the grownups who encouraged children to create and submit work from participating schools: Elanora State School, Ithaca Creek State School, Junction Park State School, Murgon State School, New Farm State School, Petrie Terrace State School, Queensland Children’s Hospital School, West End State School, and early learning centres: C&K Arana Hills, C&K Balaclava, C&K Coolum, C&K Moorooka, C&K Paddington and C&K Salisbury.
Gallery of Children’s Art (GoCA) is a Brisbane-based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing opportunities for children to create and exhibit their artwork. GoCA acknowledges that children are artists with the capacity to communicate their hopes, fears, ideas and personal experiences in intentional and creative ways.
This online exhibition represents a curated group of works. A larger group of artworks were displayed at Museum of Brisbane in the exhibition What is Different? 11 December 2020 – 31 January 2021.
