After more than a decade, a larger-than-life Brisbane artwork has seen its final brushstroke.
Queensland Rail’s 14 pillars of the Merivale Bridge weave their way through the South Brisbane landscape towards South Bank forming a unique outdoor gallery.
Queensland Rail Graffiti Prevention Coordinator Daniel Brock said since the project started in 2014, the pillars had been painted by leading Australian artists, some of whom have gone on to become internationally renowned.
Mr Brock the series of 10-metre-tall artworks under the Merivale Bridge could be viewed from the Riverside Drive pathway through to Hope St. (Watch the video below)
He said the newest artwork “I remember when”, located just off Riverside Drive, explored the notion of nostalgia and memory.
“This stunning mural is likely to be the final piece in this particular project, as we’ve run out of space.
“It’s an honour to have this spectacular final piece join other paintings by leading Australian artists including Gimiks Born, Guido Van Helten, Matt Adnate and Fintan Magee.”
Mr Brock said the Pillars Project was part of Queensland Rail’s Positive pARTnerships program which connected with local artists to produce high quality public art projects to beautify stations and build community pride and ownership.
“It has so far delivered more than 200 projects that cover approximately 27,000 square metres across the Queensland Rail network, including on station buildings, subways, sound barriers and other infrastructure.”
Sunshine Coast artist Joel Fergie, known as the Zookeeper, said his work depicted his father, a local West End school teacher, holding his daughter, telling a story about a camping trip in Northern Australia that almost ended in disaster.
“The piece highlights the contrast between the reality of the past and how it is remembered and retold over time,” Mr Fergie said.
“My daughter sits captivated on his lap, as he tells a story about trying to cross a crocodile infested river. Her focus transfixed by a moment in time told with light-heartedness, yet in that moment it was experienced by my father with sheer terror.”
