Winter in Brisbane will be truly wonderous when Disney: The Magic of Animation opens at Queensland Museum this June.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch today announced Disney: The Magic of Animation will delight visitors with treasured animation from one of the world’s most beloved animation studios.

“Featuring original sketches with rare and unique artworks dating back to 1928, Disney: The Magic of Animation features more than 500 artworks specially selected by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library in the United Sates,” Minister Enoch said.

“Visitors will experience a once-in-a-lifetime creative journey through Disney’s timeless animated movies, which starts with a single brush-stoke and passes through the hands of hundreds of skilful artists who master the magic of animation to create the studio’s much-loved characters.

“As we celebrate the Queensland Museum Network’s 160 years, this exceptional exhibition charts the Walt Disney Animation Studio’s process of creating on-screen magic and sharing timeless stories for nearly a century.

“The Palaszczuk Government is proud to support the Queensland Museum to present exhibitions which create engaging experiences for Queenslanders and visitors to the state.

“Disney: The Magic of Animation is set to further reinforce Queensland Museum’s reputation as a leading cultural venue that continues to drive strong economic outcomes for the state.

“These rarely seen works reveal the development of stories and animation techniques from Walt Disney Animation Studios films and shorts including Mickey Mouse’s first talkie, Steamboat Willie, films such as Fantasia, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Frozen, Moana, Frozen 2 and the studio’s latest hit film, Encanto,” Ms Enoch said.

Queensland Museum Network CEO Dr Jim Thompson said the exhibition would be Queensland Museum’s blockbuster drawcard for 2022.

“Disney occupies a special place in the hearts of people all over the world and I am sure there will be many fans counting down the days until 24 June when Disney: The Magic of Animation opens at Queensland Museum,” Dr Thompson said.

“This exhibition provides a unique opportunity for visitors to take a step behind the scenes to see how their favourite animated characters have been brought to life in this exhibition.

“We have the pixie dust ready, and we are elated to bring the creativity, magic and innovation of Disney Animation to our audiences in June 2022.”

The Walt Disney Company Australia & New Zealand’s Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Kylie Watson-Wheeler, said: “We’re excited for Queenslanders to see this wondrous exhibition of Disney animation artistry.”

“This special showcase of Disney magic across generations of storytelling will inspire and delight guests of all ages,” Ms Watson-Wheeler said.

Kristen McCormick, Art Exhibitions & Conservation Manager of Walt Disney Animation Research Library, said: “The filmmakers and storytellers at Walt Disney Animation Studios have been creating, producing and pushing the boundaries of animation for almost 100 years.

“Animation is an art form that literally brings still, static images to life. Whether it is a series of appealing line drawings, shot in sequential order to create a believable character, or complex digital imagery rendered to create a magical effect, animation has the power to transport the viewer into a world of imagination and beauty,” Ms McCormick added.

For more information, go to: www.qm.qld.gov.au/disney

ENDS

Media Contact: Bill Walker 0437 859 987