A large retaining wall may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about public art, but at Waterfront Brisbane artists are being invited to turn this substantial piece of infrastructure into an important new artwork.
The major commission, called the Art Opportunity 6: Driveway Wall Artwork, is being offered by Dexus as part of the broader Waterfront Brisbane Public Art Program for the major redevelopment of the Eagle Street Pier precinct.
For Matthew Beasley, Project Director of Waterfront Brisbane, the commission is part of the initiative’s broader approach to city-making.
‘Great city-making happens when architecture, landscape and public art work together to create places people genuinely want to spend time in,’ he says. ‘At Waterfront Brisbane, we are creating more than buildings; we’re creating a new destination that connects people to the river, the city and each other.’
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Connecting the city
That idea of connection is central to the project’s ambition of creating a memorable civic threshold. ‘We want people arriving at Waterfront Brisbane to feel a sense of culture and character,’ says Beasley. ‘This [commission] is an opportunity to create a meaningful first impression, one that is welcoming, distinctive and uniquely Brisbane.’
Located within the North Tower arrival sequence, the retaining wall offers artists an opportunity to work with relief, texture, materiality, light and shadow, and to consider how a functional architectural element might become a positive part of the experience of being in a place.
The creative framework for the project also looks to the site’s layered environmental history. Former creek systems, water movement, sediment, growth and biodiversity are all elements that can be included in an original contemporary response and embodied through exemplary individual artistic practice.
Who can apply?
The commission is open to artists, artist-led studios and multidisciplinary teams with experience in major integrated public art projects, sculptural or architectural wall works, relief and surface interventions, complex fabrication work, and permanent outdoor projects.
Importantly, there will be time allowed during the process to develop proposals into fully realised works, with up to three shortlisted applicants receiving $3000 as a concept development fee.
The EOI process will assess a range of factors including the strength of the applicant’s practice, relevant experience, response to the site and curatorial intent, technical understanding, cultural awareness, and the aptitude and ability to work collaboratively within a complex architectural project.
‘We are looking for artists with a compelling vision and the capability to deliver a meaningful outcome,’ Beasley says. ‘Experience is important, but so too is creativity, originality and the ability to respond to the layered history of the site.’
A chance to make a lasting impact
Waterfront Brisbane is described by Beasley as ‘one of Australia’s largest city-centre urban renewal projects’, reconnecting the CBD with the river.
Public art will have a role that goes beyond the decorative. ‘Public art enriches everyday experiences,’ Beasley says. ‘It has the power to surprise, inspire, and create a lasting sense of identity, helping people form a deeper connection to a place.’
This project is not a Traditional Custodian-led process, but First Nations contemporary artists are encouraged to respond through their own practice and lived experience. All applicants must respect the cultural context of the site and comply with the project’s Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property requirements.
The commission budget provides $110,000 to cover artist fees, design development, fabrication, installation, and associated delivery requirements.
‘A project of this scale presents a rare opportunity for artists to shape how people experience Brisbane for generations to come,’ says Beasley. ‘Integrating art into the fabric of Waterfront Brisbane means we can create a place that is not only functional and beautiful, but one that resonates with people and reflects the character and ambition of our city.’
