BRISBANE.- Australian artist Callum Morton’s first major exhibition for children, ‘Ghost World’ opened at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA).

Morton was commissioned by the Queensland Art Gallery to develop the engaging, hands-on environment especially for its young audiences.

Queensland Art Gallery Director Tony Ellwood said ‘Ghost World’ was the second single artist exhibition presented by the Children’s Art Centre and demonstrated the Queensland Art Gallery’s innovative programming for children, which began more than a decade ago.

‘We are very pleased to present this project by Callum Morton, a leading Australian artist who was Australia’s representative at the 52nd Venice Biennale in 2007.

‘The Queensland Art Gallery recognises artists’ ideas as an authentic and appealing means through which children can learn about art. The significance of children’s experiences in the art museum is one of the key philosophies guiding the Children’s Art Centre,’ he said.

‘Ghost World’ has completely transformed the Park Level of GoMA’s Children Art Centre into a richly coloured, busy streetscape, loaded with unexpected juxtapositions and playful opposites.

‘The project has been directly inspired by Morton’s ongoing interest in architecture and art, and encourages children to explore the relationship between interiors and exteriors,’ he said.

The Gallery’s Deputy Director Andrew Clark said Morton’s work referred to past histories and approaches to the built environment, and imaginatively transformed these into new experiences.

‘Ghost World’ encourages children to rediscover familiar places and ideas about the built environment. ‘This specially commissioned project continues the Gallery’s long-term commitment to developing exhibitions, programs and initiatives for its young audiences.

‘Since 1999 these programs have included collaborations with more than 70 emerging, midcareer and senior contemporary Australian and international artists such as Yayoi Kusama (Japan), Cai Guo-Qiang (China/USA), Bharti Kher (India/UK), Yoshitomo Nara (Japan) and Michael Leunig (Australia),’ he said.

‘Ghost World’ is a project developed for children that will appeal to audiences of all ages. It will remain on display from June 26 to October 17, 2010, at the Park Level of the Children’s Art Centre.