20 years of Perspectives:Asia – Lessons from the past for our future

On Thursday 24 July, Griffith Asia Institute (GAI) and the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) came together to celebrate a remarkable milestone—20 years of the Perspectives:Asia public lecture series. Held at the Gallery’s iconic South Bank venue, the event reflected on the enduring success of a collaboration that has fostered public dialogue on Australia’s place in the Asia-Pacific region since 2005.

Launched as a joint initiative between GAI and QAGOMA’s Australian Centre of Asia Pacific Art (ACAPA), Perspectives:Asia was designed to bridge culture, politics, and society. Over the past two decades, it has brought together artists, academics, diplomats, and community leaders to explore how Australia connects with its regional neighbours through wide-ranging topics—spanning from sport and food to geopolitics and art.

Vice Chancellor of Griffith University, Professor Carolyn Evans, opened the evening by acknowledging the power of public forums like Perspectives:Asia to shape understanding and policy. She emphasised the critical role that institutions such as GAI and QAGOMA play in fostering informed dialogue across cultures and warmly welcomed guests attending the event.

Professor Caitlin Byrne, Pro Vice Chancellor (Business) and former Director of GAI, moderated the evening’s panel discussion. A long-time champion of the series, Professor Byrne welcomed a distinguished group of panellists who each contributed unique reflections on the evolution of Perspectives:Asia and Australia’s growing engagement in the region.

The panel included Professor Michael Wesley, now Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global, Culture and Engagement at the University of Melbourne, who offered insight into his original vision for the lecture series when he established it in 2005 during his tenure as GAI Director. He highlighted the need—still relevant today—for spaces where complex regional relationships could be explored through diverse perspectives.

Professor Julianne Schultz, Professor Emerita Media and Culture and founding editor of Griffith Review, reflected on her own participation in the 2007 session “In the neighbourhood: The challenges of Australia’s regional engagement.” She spoke to the series’ legacy of tackling timely issues through the lens of personal experience, public debate, and cultural expression.

Chris Saines, Director of QAGOMA, shared the Gallery’s deep commitment to the series, acknowledging the power of art and culture in bridging divides and enriching understanding. He paid tribute to the many speakers, audiences, and partners who have helped sustain the program over two decades.

Current GAI Director, Professor Christoph Nedopil, reiterated the Institute’s ongoing commitment to creating meaningful public engagement around Asia-Pacific issues. He described Perspectives:Asia as a “platform that continues to inform, challenge and inspire,” particularly as the region enters a new era of geopolitical, environmental, and social transformation.

As the event concluded, panellists reflected on memorable lectures and moments that had resonated with them personally. There was a strong sense that while much has changed in Australia’s regional engagement, the need for open, accessible conversations is more important than ever.

A commemorative booklet was produced to celebrate the past 20 years, listing all of the past lectures and is now available online.

As Perspectives:Asia marks its official 20th anniversary, GAI and QAGOMA look forward to continuing this valued partnership—bringing fresh voices, vital topics, and new ideas to the public stage.

Perspectives:Asia is presented by the Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University and the Australian Centre of Asia-Pacific Art (ACAPA) at QAGOMA.

Previous Perspectives:Asia seminars are also available online.