From misty rainbows to mountains of LEGO, Olafur Eliasson: Presence turns art into an adventure for the whole family at GOMA.
This summer, families can escape the heat and step into a world of wonder at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). The gallery’s newest major exhibition, Olafur Eliasson: Presence, is a Brisbane-exclusive experience that is the perfect blend of art, light, and play.
Eliasson, an Icelandic-Danish artist renowned for transforming spaces into immersive, sensory environments, invites visitors to see the world differently. His work blurs the line between art and experience, encouraging you to look, move, and even feel your way through the gallery. From the moment you enter, it’s not just about seeing art — it’s about being part of it.
Across GOMA’s ground floor galleries, families can explore a series of installations that play with perception, light, and nature. Beauty (1993) shimmers with a rainbow suspended in a fine mist, while Pluriverse assembly (2021) bathes the room in shifting reflections of light.
Two family favourites also return for this exhibition. In Riverbed (2014), kids can wander through a rocky landscape complete with running water — a mesmerising mix of art and natural play for all ages.
Then there’s The cubic structural evolution project (2004), an enormous, all-white LEGO city that children (and parents) help build and rebuild, transforming the artwork with every visit.
Eliasson’s Icelandic heritage shines throughout, with striking photographs capturing the country’s elemental beauty.
This is an exhibition to experience together. Whether your little ones are mesmerised by misty rainbows or elbow-deep in LEGO bricks, Olafur Eliasson: Presence is a must-do for families this summer.
‘Olafur Eliasson: Presence’ – everything you need to know
When: 6 December 2025 – 12 July 2026
Where: Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), South Brisbane
Tickets: Adults $33; Youth (13–25) $24;
Child (5–12) $14; Under 5 free
Book timed tickets early to secure your spot.
Last entry daily 4.00 pm.
Olafur Eliasson: Presence at GOMA, Brisbane.
Coming in 2026: Presence and Play: Kids Tours
8.30 – 10.00 am | Selected Saturdays, Feb – Jul 2026 | Ticketed
2026 will bring Kids Tours: Presence and Play — special early-morning sessions offering a crowd-free, sensory experience of Olafur Eliasson: Presence.
From 8:30 – 9:00 am, join educator and choreographer Sammie Williams for a playful, guided tour designed to help kids see, move, and create within the exhibition. Then, enjoy exclusive access to the gallery from 9.00 – 10.00 am to explore at your own pace.
These sessions invite families to connect through art, imagination, and fun — a perfect way to introduce little ones to the world of contemporary creativity.
Hero image: Olafur Eliasson / Riverbed 2014 installed at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) / Dec 2019 / Purchased 2021. The Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Charitable Trust Collection: The Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Charitable Trust, QAGOMA / Collection: QAGOMA / © 2014 Olafur Eliasson / Photograph: K Bennett
For more ideas of things to do with kids this summer, check out our HUGE SCHOOL HOLIDAY GUIDE!
