Field Trip

Paddington's vibrant contemporary art hub

Nestled in the heart of Paddington, Brisbane, Field Trip Gallery is a dynamic exhibition space dedicated to contemporary art in all its varied forms. Located at 1 Latrobe Terrace, the gallery has become a focal point for Brisbane's art community, showcasing both established and emerging artists across a diverse range of mediums and practices. Operating across two distinct spaces—Gallery 1 and Gallery 2—Field Trip creates an intimate environment where visitors can encounter everything from intimate solo exhibitions to expansive group shows that reflect the breadth of Queensland's creative talent.

The gallery's position in Paddington, one of Brisbane's most culturally vibrant inner-city neighbourhoods, places it within easy reach of studios, cafés, and fellow cultural institutions. This location has proven integral to Field Trip's mission: fostering genuine connections between artists and audiences through carefully curated exhibitions that celebrate the diversity of contemporary practice. The dual-space configuration allows the gallery to run simultaneous exhibitions, offering visitors a richer curatorial experience and enabling greater engagement with both the work and the artists themselves.

A diverse palette of contemporary practice

Field Trip's exhibition program spans the full spectrum of contemporary art, from figurative and realist works to abstract exploration and landscape-focused pieces. Recent exhibitions have highlighted this breadth beautifully: John Bell's 'Two Terrains' examines Australian landscapes through the lens of Tasmania and Springbrook's Gold Coast hinterland, capturing a sense of place rather than literal representation. Simultaneously, conceptual and mixed-media works feature prominently—Lloyd Crackett's debut solo show 'Oh That's Nice, Obliterating Context' brings photographs and found images into dialogue through collage, whilst Helen Berkeley-Kelly's 'Sourced' transforms natural fibres and discarded objects into woven compositions that challenge what we overlook.

The gallery regularly presents ceramics, painting, photography, and mixed media, often in combination within group exhibitions like 'SPECTIVE', which brought together four Brisbane artists exploring nature and perspective through ceramics, photography and mixed-media practice. Whether showcasing abstract dreamlike imagery or sharp figurative work, Field Trip demonstrates a genuine commitment to supporting artists working across contemporary mediums. This commitment extends to community-oriented programming as well: the Mother's Day Art Market drew over 30 local artists, while studio sales and charity exhibitions have created further avenues for artists to connect directly with collectors and supporters.

A year-round exhibition program that engages the community

Field Trip's calendar is remarkably active, with new exhibitions opening regularly throughout the year. The 2026 program alone features substantial solo presentations by established and emerging artists, group exhibitions that explore thematic concepts, and special market events that celebrate local creative practice. Every exhibition is accompanied by an opening event—ranging from intimate wine-and-conversation gatherings to extended drinks and live music—that encourage genuine engagement between artists, collectors, and art lovers. These openings have become social touchstones for Brisbane's art community, transforming exhibition launches into something more akin to cultural conversation than transactional gallery visits.

Beyond traditional exhibitions, Field Trip has demonstrated creative flexibility by hosting special programs including art markets, charity exhibitions, and live ceramic workshops. The Mother's Day Art Market, for instance, sprawled across both the courtyard and upstairs gallery, offering affordable original work and creating an accessible entry point for emerging collectors. Meanwhile, exhibitions like Erina Natsumi's charity show benefited the International Child Art Foundation, highlighting the gallery's commitment to using art as a vehicle for social good. With viewing hours spanning early morning to evening, and some exhibitions running Friday-through-Monday cycles, the gallery remains accessible to Brisbane's working and creative populations.

What makes Field Trip distinctive in Brisbane's gallery landscape

Field Trip stands apart through its deeply curatorial approach and commitment to artist wellbeing. Rather than functioning as a commercial-only space, the gallery creates opportunities for artists at various career stages—from Michelle Spencer's curated retrospective of paintings and ceramics to Anthony Jigalin's provocative examination of contemporary political anxiety through abstraction. The dual-gallery model enables the space to host simultaneous exhibitions, enriching the visitor experience and allowing thematic pairing of shows that resonate and contrast with one another. The gallery's willingness to support diverse artistic voices—including First Nations artists like Lloyd Crackett (Magandjin) and international artists such as Japan-based nemurenaiasa—reflects a genuinely inclusive vision of contemporary art.

Perhaps most distinctively, Field Trip has cultivated a genuine sense of community around its program. Artists are invited to serve drinks at openings, studio sales are celebrated rather than hidden, and events like the Mother's Day Art Market position the gallery as a hub for local creative practice rather than merely a retail environment. The curation demonstrates thematic depth: exhibitions exploring landscape and dreamlike imagery, the role of memory in art-making, the relationship between found objects and creative transformation. This curatorial intelligence, combined with the gallery's approachable ethos and regular programming, has established Field Trip as essential for anyone seriously engaging with Brisbane's contemporary art scene.

Planning your visit to Field Trip Gallery

Visiting Field Trip is straightforward and welcoming. The gallery is located at 1 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington, QLD 4064, making it easily accessible by car or public transport. Opening hours vary by exhibition but typically span 10am to 5pm on weekdays and Saturdays, with Sunday hours usually 10am to 4pm (or noon to 4pm on select weekends). Most exhibitions run for short, concentrated periods—typically three to five days—encouraging repeat visits and genuine engagement with the work. The gallery's website lists detailed opening hours and forthcoming exhibitions, and most shows have dedicated opening events where you can meet the artists and join Brisbane's creative community.

Whether you're a collector seeking original contemporary work, an art student interested in curatorial practice, or simply someone curious about Brisbane's art scene, Field Trip offers an authentic and welcoming environment. The gallery regularly features work priced to be accessible—the Mother's Day Art Market, for instance, specifically highlighted pieces under one hundred dollars—and exhibitions span solo presentations by individual artists alongside collaborative group shows. With its commitment to supporting diverse contemporary practices and its vibrant calendar of exhibitions, talks, and special events, Field Trip Gallery has genuinely established itself as a vital cultural space in Paddington and across Brisbane.