Tom Thum to headline launch of Smashup: Comics x Art this Friday
Published on 04 November 2026
Internationally renowned beatboxer and sound artist Tom Thum will headline the official launch of Smashup: Comics x Art at the Rockhampton Museum of Art (RMOA) on Friday, 6 November.
The one-night-only opening event will celebrate RMOA's newest major exhibition, Smashup: Comics x Art, which explores the influence of comics, alternative culture and graphic storytelling on contemporary art.
Featuring works from invited artists, the RMOA Collection, the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Collection and private lenders, the exhibition challenges traditional ideas about what belongs in a gallery, bringing together paintings, textiles, installations, comics and graphic art from across generations and disciplines.
RMOA Director Peter Denham said the launch event offered a unique opportunity to experience the exhibition in an unforgettable way.
"For decades, comics and graphic storytelling have shaped popular culture, inspired generations of artists and influenced contemporary visual language, yet they have often been overlooked in traditional gallery spaces," Mr Denham said.
"Smashup: Comics x Art brings together extraordinary artists from different generations and disciplines, creating conversations between contemporary art and comic culture that are engaging, surprising and accessible for audiences of all ages.
"We're excited to officially launch Smashup: Comics x Art with a special performance from internationally renowned beatboxer and sound artist Tom Thum.
"Like the artists featured in the exhibition, Tom Thum challenges expectations and pushes the boundaries of creative expression.
"This is a one-night-only event and a rare opportunity to experience one of Australia's most innovative performers alongside a major new exhibition. We encourage people to secure their tickets now and be part of this special celebration."
Deputy Mayor and Communities, Culture and Heritage Councillor Drew Wickerson said the exhibition offers something for everyone, highlighting its broad appeal, interactive experiences and family-friendly activities.
"Smashup: Comics x Art is more than just an exhibition. It gives people of all ages the chance to get involved, get creative and see how comics have influenced art and popular culture,” Councillor Wickerson said.
"Thanks to the support of Haymans Electrical, families can enjoy the free Smashup: Comics x Art Making Space, where kids and adults can take part in fun activities like colouring, drawing and creating their own comic-inspired artworks."
"With free admission to the exhibition and activities running through to March, I encourage locals and visitors to come along and experience everything Smashup: Comics x Art has to offer."
Smashup: Comics x Art is on display at Rockhampton Museum of Art until 7 March 2027.
Tickets to the launch event are available at www.rmoa.com.au
ENDS
Image Caption: Courtesy of Flagrant Artists.
Smashup: Comics x Art Program
Exhibition Launch featuring Tom Thum
Date: Friday 6 November
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Ticketed: GENERAL TICKETS | $25 RMOA Member or $30, online bookings essential. NEW MEMBER OFFER | Become a new member and get free entry to the Smashup: Comics x Art Launch. ($50 includes 12-month RMOA Membership + launch ticket*).
Join us to celebrate the launch and official opening of Rockhampton Museum of Art’s latest major exhibition, Smashup: Comics x Art, featuring a special performance by Tom Thum.
Like the theme of Smashup: Comics x Art, Tom Thum's impossible sounds push the boundaries and highlights an artist that cannot be, or refuses to be, pigeonholed.
With his live performance videos amassing over half a billion combined plays, Tom Thum’s pedigree in the world of beat boxing is unrivalled. After witnessing a Tom Thum show, you’d swear there’s a symphony orchestra, jazz band, techno DJ, 80’s synth pop group and collection of exotic world instruments all residing somewhere in his throat.
Exhibition
Smashup: Comics x Art
Dates: 31 October 2026 – 7 March 2027
Admission: Free
Curated by Jonathan McBurnie and Shanna Muston, the exhibition presents original comic pages alongside paintings, textiles, drawings, photography, printmaking and installation works from an impressive line-up of Australian and international artists.
The exhibition features works by acclaimed artists including Richard Bell, Gordon Bennett, Karla Dickens, Howard Arkley, Sally Morgan, Kaylene Whiskey, Nicola Scott, Gareth Sansom and Jimmy Pike, alongside original comic artwork from leading cartoonists and illustrators from Australia and abroad.
Exhibition Talk
Date: Saturday 7 November
Time: 10am – 11am
Admission: Free
Join RMOA Curator Shanna Muston and visiting exhibition artists, Tim McEwen, Godwin Bradbeer for a walk through Smashup: Comics x Art and learn more about the collision of the comic and art worlds.
Making Space
Dates: 31 October 2026 – 7 March 2027
Admission: Free
Join us for free drop-in activities in the Making Space within the Smashup: Comics x Art Exhibition. Get creative colouring, drawing, attaching words to speech bubbles and more. We even have a photobooth for you to take a selfie with your speech bubble to add to the storyboard wall so you can become part of the shared story of Smash Up!
Comic Artist Tim McEwen at RMOA
Dates: Friday 22 January
Time: 9.30am – 12pm
Admission: Free
Smashup: Comics x Art exhibiting artist Tim McEwen will be onsite drawing actual comics pages before your eyes. Come along and say hi, see Tim draw some pages from his next comic while taking questions and chatting with Rockhampton Museum of Art visitors.
Find out more at www.rmoa.com.au/Whats-On