28 Nov 2015 — 14 Feb 2016| SLQ Gallery, SLQ | Free (now closed)

Excerpt from Signs, signals and semaphores. Video by Elizabeth Woods and Kevin Leong.

SLQ Gallery

28 Nov 2015 - 14 Feb 2016 | Level 2 | Free (now closed)

You could explore personal, social and political ideas of peace in Peace and Quiet. This community generated exhibition, led by artists Elizabeth Woods and Kevin Leong, collected the thoughts and gestures of contemporary Queenslanders in peacetime, against the backdrop of growing global political conflict.

You could immerse yourself in the handiwork of Queensland communities that have shared their diverse ideas and desires for peace, with handmade national flags created in white, and a collection of early and current placards from the peace movement. There was reflection on hundreds of peaceful landscape artworks contributed by the community, which were mounted over the First World War wallpaper from Distant Lines: Queensland voices of the First World War, providing a powerful reminder of what is lost in times of war.

You could uncover the hopes, dreams and realities of those directly affected by political conflict, and you could watch community performances that were both forthright and meditative.

Gallery visitors can explore the gestures of peace contributed by hundreds of Queenslanders, from paintings and prints, to peace flags and political banners.

Events

For more information visit Q ANZAC 100 calendar of events.

The making of peace

Activity

Mon 30 Nov – Wed 9 Dec, 11am-3pm
SLQ Gallery, level 2
Free

Elders and community groups hand sewed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peace flags.

Aunty Gloria Fisher, Aunty Freda Mitchell and Uncle Noel Summers making peace flags in SLQ Gallery.

Visions for Peace

Activity

Ongoing
Online
Free

Share your vision of a peaceful world by contributing to a digital collection on peace. Add a photo, video, or audio clip that represents your personal, social, or political ideas of peace to the Q ANZAC 100: Memories for a New Generation Historypin collection, Visions for Peace. This collection captures the diverse voices of Queenslanders one century after the First World War, creating a digital legacy about the Queensland experience of the War and how the centenary is commemorated.

Peace Decorations

People were invited to celebrate the season of peace and goodwill by making peace decorations. Then, you could add your decoration or a handwritten peace message to the peace trees outside SLQ Gallery. There was a workshop to learn effective techniques from local artists.

Activity

28 Nov – 20 Dec, 10am–5pm
SLQ Gallery, level 2
Free

Workshop

Sat 5 Dec, 10am–3pm
Knowledge Walk, level 1
Free

The peaceful you

Participants crafted a range of wearable items – masks, hats, flowers – that represented a peaceful you. They took a selfie wearing your creations, and added it to the Peace and Quiet exhibition.

At the workshop, artists and stylists helped with dressing your face and hair to represent your hopes for peace. Your photograph was taken against a peaceful backdrop, to be added to the exhibition.

Activity

4–22 Jan, 10am–5pm
SLQ Gallery, level 2
Free

Workshop

Sat 16 Jan, 10am–3pm
Knowledge Walk, level 1
Free

Peace and love

With Valentine’s Day imminent, there was your chance to make a personalised gift for someone you love. In the exhibition space from 27 January, you could make a simple white heart-shaped lantern with your message for peace.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, there was a workshop to learn how to design and screen print your own Peace and Love pillowslip.

Activity

27 Jan – 14 Feb, 10am–5pm
SLQ Gallery, level 2
Free

Workshop

Sat 13 Feb, 10am–3pm
Knowledge Walk, level 1
Free

Highlights

For more information visit Q ANZAC 100 calendar of events.

Words are all I have

Beginning with the precept that the appreciation of peace is strongest in those that have experienced its absence, this project sought perspectives on peace from individuals who had had a first-hand experience of war or wartime. It was based on a series of interviews that attempt to capture deep personal desires for peace, rather than to explore the experience of war and violence.

White on white

Members of community and cultural groups have been invited to remake their national flags in white, as a gesture of peace. The 12 peace flags will be flown in the gallery for the duration of the exhibition.

Peaceful Landscapes

Community members have contributed hundreds of artworks representing their vision of a peaceful landscape. These have been mounted directly over the wallpaper of First World War landscapes that dominated the SLQ Gallery during Distant Lines, providing a powerful reminder of what is lost in times of war.

Signs, signals and semaphores

As a reminder of the tumultuous origins of the now universally-understood peace sign, members of the public have been invited to signal N(uclear) and D(isarmament) using the semaphore system. Video recordings of the signals will be projected in SLQ Gallery.

Peaceful protest

A collection of historical placards and banners used in protests and demonstrations has been contributed by local peace groups and activists. They are displayed alongside new placards generated in public workshops.