New art exhibitions celebrate Queensland stories

Three new exhibitions celebrating storytelling, landscape, and local creativity open at the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery this week, bringing together work by nationally recognised artists and homegrown talent.

Launching tomorrow night (Friday 30 May), the exhibitions showcase the bold expressionist works of Queensland artist Joe Furlonger, the cultural legacy of Torres Strait Islander printmaker Billy Missi, and a collection of diverse works by Wide Bay–Burnett artists in the 2025 Regional Spotlight.

Fraser Coast Regional Council Arts and Culture spokesperson Cr Michelle Govers said the latest program offered visitors a rich, thought-provoking art experience.

“These exhibitions that capture the spirit of Queensland through land, sea and story,” Cr Govers said.

“These shows shine a light on some of our state’s most significant artists and also celebrate the unique perspectives of artists from right here in our region.”

The three exhibitions opening at the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery this week are:

• Joe Furlonger: Horizons - A major touring exhibition from QAGOMA that traces four decades of Joe Furlonger’s artistic practice, spanning painting, sculpture, ceramics and drawing.
  
  Born in Cairns and raised near Brisbane, Furlonger’s work is inspired by the Queensland landscape, people, and coastlines, expressed with an energetic and spontaneous style.
  The exhibition presents a powerful visual journey through a career shaped by deep connection to place.
   
• Billy Missi’n Wakain Thamai - A retrospective honouring the late Billy Missi (1970–2012), a master printmaker and storyteller from Mabuiag Island in the Torres Strait.
  
  Featuring large-scale prints, film, and cultural narratives, the exhibition immerses visitors in the traditions, identity and enduring legacy of the Wagadagam people.  
  
  Curated in consultation with Missi’s family and estate, this national touring exhibition is presented by NorthSite Contemporary Arts in partnership with Torres Strait Regional Authority’s Gab Titui Cultural Centre (TSRA), and toured by Museums & Galleries Queensland, assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program.
   
• Regional Spotlight 2025 - An annual exhibition celebrating artists from the Wide Bay–Burnett region, Regional Spotlight showcases painting, printmaking, ceramics, photography and mixed media.

This year’s featured artists are Jacob Bunt, Val McGrath, Lou Millen, Colin Reaney, Suzanne Roberts and Karen Stanton. Selected through an open call, the exhibition highlights the vibrancy and diversity of local artistic practice.

“The Regional Spotlight exhibition is a fantastic opportunity to recognise and promote local artists, and it’s always exciting to see their work alongside nationally touring exhibitions,” Cr Govers said.

“It creates a really dynamic and inclusive space where visitors can engage with a wide range of creative voices.”

The official launch event will be held on Friday 30 May from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, and also includes the unveiling of a new façade artwork by Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi and Butchulla artist Zartisha Davis.

The exhibitions will remain on display at Hervey Bay Regional Gallery until 3 August 2025. Entry is free. For more information, visit: https://hbrg.ourfrasercoast.com.au