First Nations public art to be featured in new QPAC theatre

Submissions are now being sought to create a significant First Nations permanent public artwork that will weave into the state’s new theatre at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

It is anticipated the public artwork will respond to the new theatre’s location on a stretch of the Brisbane River around Kurilpa Point that has been a traditional meeting place for the Aboriginal people of Brisbane.

Construction of QPAC's new 1500-capacity state-of-the-art theatre at Brisbane’s Playhouse Green site began in August 2021. The $175 million theatre will be transformational, creating the largest performing arts centre in Australia, with five outstanding venues, and when fully operational has the potential to welcome an additional 300,000 visitors per year.

QLD Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch advised “this major public art commission in the external entry forecourt to the new theatre will enable the sharing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultures through a signature artwork that expands the new theatre’s ability to connect visitors to inspiring stories.

“I encourage First Nations artists with a cultural connection to Queensland to apply for this exciting opportunity with expressions of interest open today,” Minister Enoch said.

Minister Enoch said the design of the new theatre acknowledged the site's significance to Aboriginal people, with the new theatre’s unique façade of billowing glass referencing the flow of the river.

“The new theatre and the inclusion of important First Nations public artwork that celebrates First Nations cultural heritage, will create a striking centrepiece for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics,” she said.

Minister Enoch said three artists would be selected to progress to concept design following the expression of interest.

“These selected artists, in a paid competition process, will each work alongside First Nations art and design consultant Blaklash Creative and public art specialists UAP to develop a site-specific artwork,” the Minister said.

“The scope of possibility for this important artwork is broad and exciting and includes the potential for freestanding sculptural elements, wall or ground painting, etchings or sand blasting.”

The State Government is committed to creating and activating transformational cultural infrastructure to connect Queenslanders to meaningful arts experiences through the Creative Together 10-year strategy and its priority to elevate First Nations arts.

The new theatre will increase the footprint of QPAC, making it the largest performing arts centre in Australia with the potential to welcome an additional 300,000 visitors a year across five outstanding venue spaces.

Amanda Hayman and Troy Casey of Blaklash Creative said it was important to recognise Aboriginal people are the first artists and performers of this country.

“QPAC's new NPAV public artwork opportunity is a significant acknowledgment of First Nations' presence.

“The arts, including performance and dance, are important cultural practices and continue to be a positive outlet for contemporary expression and storytelling.

“The commission will appropriately have pride of place in a new world-class creative venue for Queensland."

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said the public art commission would be significant, integrated and embedded within the fabric of the building, illustrating the importance of Australia’s First Nations Peoples historic and ongoing contribution to arts and culture.

“We have a proud history of profiling First Nations artists and cultures at QPAC through our programming of performances and events such as our annual Clancestry festival,” Kotzas said.

“We see this public art commission as an opportunity to further that commitment and make a stronger, more permanent statement about how much we value First Nations artists, stories and cultures.

“This artwork, located at a point in the building that will welcome everyone, is an opportunity to acknowledge Country and highlight connectedness to Queensland.”

The Department of Energy and Public Works’ Major Projects team is managing the delivery of the theatre, on behalf of QPAC and Arts Queensland.

For more information on the NPAV First Nations Public Art Commission EOI visit uapcompany.com/news/major-first-nations

For more information on the New Performing Arts Venue project visit: www.arts.qld.gov.au/npav

Image: Exterior Concept Design for new QPAC theatre.