Artist Talks | Platform 2026: Dean Ansell, Seren Wagstaff, Spencer Harvie

The IMA has a reputation for bringing new art and new artists to public attention. Platform is our annual Queensland-emerging-artist exhibition. Each year we fund three artists to create ambitious new projects. This year we present new works by Dean Ansell, Spencer Harvie, and Seren Wagstaff. Join the artists as they speak about their works. 

Dean Ansell is of Melanesian (Riḡorabana, Balawaia, Papua Niugini), Maltese, and Anglo-Celtic descent. They interpret Melanesian mythologies and rituals in their installations, soundscapes, and performances.

Spencer Harvie explores dark, surreal, nonsensical aspects of online and fan subcultures. Processing the slop of found, AI-generated, and imagined imagery within an elaborate cartoon logic, he unleashes the psychosexual horrors bubbling beneath.

Seren Wagstaff works in installation and performance. They explore working‑class cultures and the queer innuendoes embedded within them.

Accessibility 

We are committed to making the IMA accessible to people of all abilities, their families, and carers, as well as visitors of different ages and different backgrounds.

The gallery entrance is on the ground floor of the Judith Wright Arts Centre, on Berwick Street. There is wheelchair access and an accessible toilet with baby changing facilities also located on the ground floor, and we welcome guide and support dogs.

If you plan to attend this event and have specific support needs we can accommodate, please contact engagement@ima.org.au, call (07) 3252 5750, or ask our friendly staff on-site. Read our access information for visitors here.⁠