The staged opening of the billion-dollar Queens’s Wharf precinct is days away, with signature artworks and event venues being highlighted in the lead-up.
The Star Brisbane Chief Executive Officer Daniel Finch said Brisbane artist Lindy Lee was on hand to unveil her work Being Swallowed by the Milky Way, ahead of the first phase of Queen’s Wharf’s opening from Thursday (August 29).
Mr Finch said the 8m, 8000kg oblong sculpture, to be located at the George St entrance to The Star Brisbane, in the new $3.6 billion CBD precinct, featured 25 thousand tiny holes puncturing the bronze surface to appear as a shimmering, light-filled galaxy of silver and gold stars.
“Australian painter and sculptor of Chinese heritage, Lindy Lee AO, was on hand to light up her sculpture for the first time and said it was a joy to create a legacy for her birthplace as part of such a game changing development for the city,” Mr Finch said.
Ms Lee said growing up in Kangaroo Point and Morningside, she was fascinated by the “magic of starlight”.
“I loved looking at the night sky, to be deeply immersed in the mystery of that and somehow that feeling imbues all my work,” Ms Lee said.
“It’s so fitting that Being Swallowed by the Milky Way is being installed in my birth city. Emotionally and spiritually that is very important to me.”
Mr Finch said the sculpture was part of a multi-million-dollar collection of public artworks which would elevate the city’s standing as cultural city.
“We are thrilled to be unveiling the Lindy Lee masterpiece as we count down to the staged opening of The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf,” Mr Finch said.
“It will be a must-visit attraction in its own right.
“All of the artworks will be showcased to millions of people, who will visit us for years to come, including for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“It will complement the South Bank precinct a short walk across the Neville Bonner Bridge helping further position Brisbane, not just as an Olympic city, but as a vibrant cultural playground.”
Mr Finch said final touches were also being applied to the state-of-the-art Event Centre located on Level Six of The Star Brisbane, in the lead-up to Thursday’s opening.
He said the venue featured a 1440-seat ballroom, central glass atrium, floor to ceiling windows, next generation audio visual functionality, outdoor terrace and a pre-function bar with views to the Story Bridge.
“It will be serviced by a high-tech industrial kitchen the size of half a football field, that will serve up around 140,000 meals a year.”
Mr Finch said the Event Centre would launch as part of the first phase of the staged, hosting a range of corporate and business functions from charity galas and international conferences to tourism showcases and award nights, including the Brisbane Broncos’ end of season presentation ball.
“We have just seen recent data that shows that Brisbane has become Australia’s ‘bleisure’ capital with business visitors spending more time and money in our city compared to any other state,” said Mr Finch.
“With the ability to split the ballroom space into five separate event areas, or one giant ballroom, the size, scale and functionality of our purpose-designed Event Centre will not only complement but bolster the great work already being done in Queensland’s business events sector.
“Events are vital contributors to Brisbane’s visitor and job-creation economy and we are proud to deliver a multitude of event facilities, including our Event Centre, Leisure Deck, Sky Deck and signature 5-star hotel.”
