History

Boxcopy began in 2007, operating out of a basement of a house in New Farm, Brisbane. Founded by six Queensland University of Technology visual art graduates, it was established to address the lack of exhibiting and networking opportunities for young graduates and emerging artists in Brisbane. From an early stage, the Artist-Run Initiative (ARI) developed a strong ethos to focus on the process of artistic development and to provide emerging artists with resources and opportunities free of charge. A strong commitment to presenting highly experimental and challenging approaches to contemporary art practice also evolved from the range of shows presented, featuring installation-based work, including video, performance, sound and other forms of technology.

In 2007-08, Boxcopy presented ‘Great Expectations’, a large-scale project part of the 2008 Next Wave Festival in Melbourne and was selected for a newly established residency program at Metro Arts, Brisbane. With an ambitious program of monthly solo and group exhibitions in a studio space in the Metro Arts building, open for public viewing throughout the week, Boxcopy built a loyal audience comprised of students, artists and industry-based professionals. The program supported Boxcopy to develop the operational rigour to successfully deliver a program of this size. Boxcopy also established an auxiliary exhibition program called Boxcopy: Ensuite that staged events in non-gallery venues. These events further encourage collaboration between emerging artists, curators and writers, and as a result, provide additional support to interdisciplinary art practices.