Major retrospective for CQ-born artist launched at RMOA
Published on 26 July 2024
Rockhampton Museum of Art (RMOA) will be the venue for a major retrospective of Central Queensland born and raised artist Luke Roberts, in July.
The exhibition, Luke Roberts: Beyond the Great Divide, is the biggest of the artist’s work ever held in his home state. It contains photography, painting, installation and video and covers many years of Roberts’ lifelong art practice from the mid-1980s to 2024.
Roberts grew up in Alpha in the 1960s and 70s, was sent to Catholic boarding school in Rockhampton and Yeppoon, then attended art school in Brisbane and Sydney, and then lived overseas for several years.
He has since returned to Australia, and Alpha, and created works that combine his family and familiar surrounds with pop culture and art history.
According to the exhibition’s curator Nicholas Tsoutas, Luke Roberts: Beyond the Great Divide looks at “the things that separate and divide us into categories. It tells the story of growing up Queer in regional Queensland, dreaming of somewhere else and always searching for something else.”
Roberts’ work, described as “camp, funny and teasing,” pushes the boundaries of art, addressing his complex Catholic upbringing, sexuality, identity, gender and queerness. Roberts is well known for dressing up, and his drag persona, Alice Jitterbug, and alter-ego Pope Alice, are featured in the exhibition.
Rockhampton Regional Council Communities and Heritage spokesperson Cr Drew Wickerson said that the exhibition is an exclusive for our region.
“Luke Roberts: Beyond the Great Divide is one of many quality exhibitions programmed by RMOA that residents and visitors of Rockhampton Region have been able to see right here in Rockhampton. It’s a major exhibition for RMOA and I urge people to drop by and have a look,” he said.
Luke Roberts: Beyond the Great Divide, curated by Nicholas Tsoutas, can be seen at Rockhampton Museum of Art, Quay Street, Rockhampton, from 27 July to 3 November.
It will be open on River Festival weekend. Entry is free.
Rockhampton Museum of Art is owned and operated by Rockhampton Regional Council.
IMAGE: Luke Roberts (centre), with RMOA Director Jonathan McBurnie (left) and Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Director Chris Saines.