World's First Underwater Art Gallery

The Great Barrier Reef has long been known as one of Australia's most popular tourist attractions both domestically and aboard but just when you thought this World Heritage listed wonder of the world couldn't top any more lists, the Great Barrier Reef has become host to the first underwater art gallery in the world.

A unique gallery, the Great Barrier Reef rivals some of the world's best displays of artwork. Although you don't need much artistic knowledge, you do require an oxygen tank to descend to the depths of this aquatic art gallery. Replacing stuffy curators with coral, the art exhibition included six pieces of art inspired by the reef itself.

Displayed four meters below the surface, the prints were created by famous Queensland artist BJ Price and are single-edition, printed on aluminium which allows them to survive the underwater conditions. Located on Moore Reef's Marine World Platform at Reef Magic, the artwork is located 90 minutes or 50km off the coast of Cairns and can be viewed by snorkellers and divers on Great Barrier Reef day trips.

Artist BJ Price specialises in abstract expressionism and has been inspired by the Great Barrier Reef throughout his artistic career. In fact in his growing body of work, the Great Barrier Reef is his sole muse, with works appearing in exhibitions all over Australia and the world, including Sydney and New York.

"I am convinced that when you encounter the extraordinary majesty of one of the world's great natural wonders and the largest living organism on the planet, you will fall in love with it.

"We've all seen it on TV but to experience it in person can be a life altering event. It certainly was for me." he said.

Working with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), Price ensured that the reef's ecosystem wouldn't be impacted by the addition of the artworks which were removed from the sea bed daily. A giant turtle sculpture decorated with his painting 'Alpha' was moored above the artworks as a beacon for all visitors wishing to view this unique underwater art gallery.

(6th January 2014)