#122 ARTSNATIONAL Gold Coast
October 2026 Lecture and Morning Tea
'Beata Beatrix'. Dante Gabriel Rosetti 1864
The source of the stuff of dreams, the poppy is a beautiful, fragile flower with immense power. Opium (from the Greek ‘opion’ – poppy juice) is a hypnotic bringer of sleep, delightful lethargy and relief from pain. It is also highly addictive. Greed led to the introduction of this hugely desirable substance first to China, and then to Europe. The beguiling seduction of its effects led to its use to quieten troubled minds and calm agitated children and babies. Its use – often by those with troubled minds – led to the creation of great works of art in music, art and literature. Social and art history meet as this lecture unfolds
Biography: Amanda Herries read Archaeology & Anthropology at Cambridge. 1978-1988 she was Curator at Museum of London specialising in the decorative arts 1714 to present day, exhibitions, lectures, booklets, broadcasts. 1988-1995 Amanda moved with family to Japan, lecturing and writing on Oriental / Western cross-cultural and artistic influences. 1995 she returned to UK, fundraising for arts companies, writing, lecturing and guiding tours to Japan and curating exhibitions. Most recent publications on Japanese plant and garden influences in the West and the life of Henry Raeburn, Scotland’s foremost portrait painter.
"Opium - Seduction, Greed, Art".
Our speaker from The Arts Society (UK) is Amanda Herries.
Morning Tea included.
Date
Saturday 17 October 2026 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM (UTC+10)Location
The Lakeside Room, HOTA
135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise Qld 4217
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