Forget about the naysayers because Queen’s Wharf will be the making of modern Brisbane. The precinct is ultra-modern but also includes some of the city’s historic highlights and an amazing array of new public art.
You could wander around and find all that yourself, but why not take a tour? Museum of Brisbane (MoB) has teamed up with The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf Brisbane to launch curated walking tours through the precinct from November 11. The tour will explore the art, history and architecture within Brisbane’s visionary new lifestyle and cultural precinct.
The bespoke 45-minute walking tours are free for a limited time and will showcase Brisbane’s newest multi-million-dollar public outdoor art gallery as well as visits to key heritage sites in the precinct. Hear from expert guides who will share stories of the First Nations people of the area and the connections to the artwork on display. Historic highlights along the way include the old Immigration Depot dating back to 1866 and the Commissariat Store completed in 1829.
Expertly led by MoB guides, visitors will explore the $3.6 billion tourism precinct to learn about large-scale artworks by First Nations, Queensland and international artists – spanning alfresco murals, digital light projections, sculpture and floating botanical gardens as well as the historic surrounds of the riverfront site. Star is behind the public art and has committed to about $13 million worth of public art for the precinct.
Even in troubled times (Star has had its challenges recently but seems to have risen above them) their unwavering commitment to the public art of the precinct means that we now have a stunning outdoor art gallery as part of the development. The expert advisory committee that chose the artworks was led by Brisbane art dealer Philip Bacon, one of the most respected figures in the arts in Australia. Bacon and his team did an amazing job, as you will see on your walk.
Museum of Brisbane CEO and director Zoe Graham says the curated public art walking tour presents a unique way to explore the city and get up close to these extraordinary new artworks.
“Our fully immersive art walks highlighting The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct expand on the series of Museum of Brisbane walking tours introduced in spring 2020,” Graham says. “These have revealed the history of Brisbane and the vibrant public art displayed across the city to thousands of visitors.
“These new guided tours, led by our talented team of expert art and history guides, will take visitors on a journey to the past as we share insights on the cultural significance of the site and engage with the contemporary ideas and inspirations behind the new artworks featured in the precinct.”
Part of a two-year partnership between Museum of Brisbane and The Star Brisbane, free daily guided walking tours will commence November 11 and continue the MoB’s commitment to uncovering Brisbane’s past and celebrating the many artists who call Brisbane home.
Internationally renowned, Brisbane-based Chinese-Australian sculptor Lindy Lee has contributed the signature artwork, Being Swallowed by the Milky Way, an 8-metre-tall, eight-tonne bronze oblong that lights up at night, while local artist Justene Williams’ Sheila (which is the talk of the town) is a larger-than-life bronze goddess that cuts an arresting female figure.
Nature is a prominent theme in the alfresco art with leading First Nations artist Tony Albert creating a 15-metre floating botanical garden of native plants, titled Inhabitant, alongside the late Wukun Wanambi’s Destiny, a large-scale aluminium sculpture of three mullet fish and Lungfish Dreamz, a supersized mosaic wall by local artist Samuel Tupou. Works by high-profile international artists, Sir Antony Gormely and Tom Friedman, will feature alongside the Australian artists.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says the new tour will reveal the history behind these heritage sites while embracing exciting new parts of the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct.
“There’s so much to see and do in Brisbane and our walking tours will help bring more of our city’s history and culture to life,” Cr Schrinner says. “Brisbane is embarking on an exciting new chapter and these tours will protect the stories of our city’s past while making Brisbane even better for the future.”
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The Star Brisbane CEO Daniel Finch says the tourism development site at the heart of the multi-million-dollar Queen’s Wharf Brisbane holds enormous cultural significance for local Indigenous communities and as the birthplace of Brisbane settlement.
“We are enormously proud of our investment in the stunning array of public artworks featuring local, First Nations and international artists across the 12-hectare precinct,” Finch says. “In addition, the ongoing revitalisation of one of the greatest collections of heritage buildings will ensure an enduring legacy for the city.
“Joining forces with Museum of Brisbane as the preeminent curators of our city’s history and creativity to further expose and amplify these cultural gems to locals and visitors alike will further celebrate the ‘Best of Brisbane’ as we head towards 2032.”
Queen’s Wharf Precinct Public Art Tour will run Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, 9.30am-10.15am, from November 11. Free.
museumofbrisbane.com.au/whats-on/queens-wharf-precinct-public-art-tour
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