The God of Small Things Faith and Popular Culture
Raja Ravi Varma, India 1848–1906 / Ravi Varma Press, Karla-Lonavla, India / Sheshnarayan 19th century / Oleograph with Zardosi embroidery / 50.8 x 35.56cm / Purchased 2024 with funds from the Henry and Amanda Bartlett Trust through the QAGOMA Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / View full image
When
21 Jun 2025 – 5 Oct 2026
Where
Queensland Art Gallery & Galleries 5 & 6 (Henry and Amanda Bartlett Galleries)
Admission
Free
About
'The God of Small Things: Faith and Popular Culture' draws its title from Arundhati Roy's evocative novel to explore the omnipresence of faith in the mundane and extraordinary alike. Centred around a rare collection of embellished oleographs by Raja Ravi Varma (India, 1848-1906), the exhibition delves into the intersection between devotional imagery and popular culture, capturing the divine as a living part of everyday life.
Works from the QAGOMA contemporary Asian collection complement and extend this dialogue, through the juxtaposition of religious and vernacular iconographies with contemporary reflections on belief.
G V Venkatesh Rao, India / Ravi Varma Press, Malavli-Lonavla, India / Adi Laxmi 19th century / Oleograph with Zardosi embroidery / 50.8 x 35.56cm / Purchased 2024 with funds from the Henry and Amanda Bartlett Trust through the QAGOMA Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / View full image
Raja Ravi Varma, India 1848–1906 / Ravi Varma Press, Karla-Lonavla, India / Vishnu-Garud Wahan 19th century / Oleograph with Zardosi embroidery / 71.12 x 50.8cm / Purchased 2024 with funds from the Henry and Amanda Bartlett Trust through the QAGOMA Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / View full image
Raja Ravi Varma, India 1848–1906 / Ravi Varma Press, Karla-Lonavla, India / Sheshnarayan 19th century / Oleograph with Zardosi embroidery / 50.8 x 35.56cm / Purchased 2024 with funds from the Henry and Amanda Bartlett Trust through the QAGOMA Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / View full image
Isabel and Alfredo Aquilizan (Philippines/Australia b.1965 and 1962) / In God We Trust 2009 / Stainless steel, handcrafted metal embellishments and Jeep parts / Courtesy the artists and Amez/Yavuz Gallery. Proposed for the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Collection / View full image