Art exhibition celebrates Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers’ 75th birthday

A Carnival Queen’s sceptre made from a seedpod, a spinning floral ‘digital embroidery’ and Carnival of Flowers Queens made from Matryoshka dolls are among artworks by the Region’s artists that feature in Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery’s salute to the 75th Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.

Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery earlier this year invited Toowoomba Region artists to create new works in any medium inspired by the theme, 'Carnival Queens', 'It's a Party’, or both.

Carnival Queens blends contemporary art with the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers’ rich history.

This jubilant exhibition has something for everyone. It includes Carnival of Flowers Queens made from Matryoshka dolls, a Carnival Queen’s sceptre made from a hand-painted seedpod, a ceramics vessel celebrating the long way home through Queens Park after seeing a live band, and a spinning floral ‘digital embroidery’, to highlight a few.

Referencing her work, Wonderment, artist Diana Battle said being a Carnival Queen would be joyful, then followed by many unexpected surprises.

“There would be the feeling of pleasure and happiness with a cause for celebration. Possibly a party with fireworks where all faces would be turned to the sky at dusk in wonder as shapes and lights appear. I wanted my painting to encourage the imagination with surprise and curiosity,” Diana explained.

Karen Canning’s work, Little bird, pays homage to her mother: “A tiny, quiet woman who was a Carnival sporting queen in the 50s,” she recalled.

“It captures her elegance and joy as she gracefully waves to the crowd from a Carnival Queens float. All her life she had fond memories of her time in the Carnival and the friendships that were made.”

The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has been an important part of Toowoomba's identity since the annual event began in 1950, and Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery has a special connection to the event.

The inaugural Carnival of Flowers Queen, Miss Fay Ryan, was crowned in 1950 on a gilded armchair. The chair was newly gifted to the City of Toowoomba by Fred Gould in honour of his late wife, Lucy. The ‘throne’ is part of the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery – Fred and Lucy Gould Art Collection.

Carnival Queens is on display until October 20, 2024.

Join us from 5.30pm on Friday, August 23, 2024 at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, 531 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, for the openings of the Carnival Queens, POSTWORLD and Time of the Signs by Henri van Noordenburg exhibitions.

Everyone is welcome to attend the free event and bookings are required by calling 131 872 or emailing [email protected] Please RSVP by Wednesday, August 21.

For more information, please see: Exhibition | Carnival Queens (tr.qld.gov.au)

Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery at 531 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, is open Wednesday to Sunday 10.30am – 3.30pm. Additional Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers open times: Wednesday, September 11 to Sunday, September 29: Gallery open daily 10.30am – 3.30pm.

Entry is free.

Images: Download via: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/CXdp1WZQgO

1. Alana WILKIE / Blushing 2024 / oil on canvas / 51 x 41 x 5cm / © Alana Wilke (top)

2. Diana BATTLE / Wonderment 2024 / acrylic on canvas / 115 x 115 x 4cm / © Diana Battle (below)

3. Di ELSDEN / Lady Gardener, Spring Blossoms 2023 / watercolour on canvas / 30 x 40 x 4cm / © Di Elsden (bottom)