Quandamooka artists Delvene Cockatoo-Collins and Belinda Close have unveiled the concepts for their public art place markers at Mulumba (Point Lookout) and Pulan (Amity Point) at Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).
The artists’ works share Quandamooka culture and storylines that are thousands of years old and will allow all those who experience them, whether visitor or local, to learn about the ancestral connections between people and place, expressed by the artists who are of the place.
“Redland City Council is working in collaboration with Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) and the artists to create place markers of cultural significance at Point Lookout and Amity Point, as part of the Queensland Government’s economic transition strategy, called Minjerribah Futures, for North Stradbroke Island,” Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said.
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“The artists have captured perfectly the timeless links of the eugarie shell (at Mulumba) and sea eagle (at Pulan) to the Quandamooka people.
“Besides being an important acknowledgement of Quandamooka culture, we know that international visitors to Australia – as well as visitors from closer to home – want to experience Aboriginal culture.
“At Redlands Coast we are fortunate to have an ever-increasing range of incredible Quandamooka cultural tourism experiences on offer which are attracting visitors to the area. These place markers will add to the experiences on offer and contribute to valuable cultural learnings.”
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the place markers were among more than 20 projects being delivered by the Queensland Government as the island moved towards a new future as a globally recognised cultural and eco-tourism destination.
“Over the next two years we are investing $25 million to create jobs on Minjerribah,” Ms Jones said.
“As well as these public artworks, there will be a landmark contemporary arts centre, better walking and recreational tracks, a new education exchange, more aged care beds, Yalingbila Bibula (whale on the hill) and a master plan for Goompi (Dunwich).”
Delvene said of her design: “The eugarie is symbolic of people coming together. They mark places of gathering for Quandamooka people and the new place marker honours those places of gathering, those who gathered and will mark the place of ongoing gatherings.
“Where they are placed allows the viewer to walk through and around – feeling the texture of the weathered shell.”
At Amity Point, artist Belinda Close shares the story of Mirriginpah, the sea eagle.
“The work depicts the eagle soaring above in search of food and is of great cultural significance to the Quandamooka people,” Belinda said.
“Mirriginpah is an important yuri and helper for the community and Quandamooka people recognise its connection with sea country.
“It is a storyline of the sea eagle alerting the Quandamooka people to the start of the mullet season.”
Redland City Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell welcomed the artworks as impressive new attractions for Minjerribah.
“These place markers will have the potential to become iconic statements, bringing together some of the Island’s iconic animals with their Quandamooka spiritual stories – these stunning sculptures will undoubtedly be photographed by visitors and shared around the world,” Cr Mitchell said.
Belinda’s art, which also acts as a weather vane, will be installed at Cabarita Park, Pulan.
The Mulumba (Point Lookout) place marker will be installed at the Gorge Walk trail head, opposite the shops.
The place markers will also include information on the story behind each work of art as well as vertical location signage elements that can easily be seen from the road and include dual Quandamooka naming for Point Lookout (Mulumba) and Amity Point (Pulan).
The place marker project is being funded by the Queensland Government’s Minjerribah Futures program, with Redland City Council leading the project and Quandamooka Yoollooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation contracted to deliver the artworks.
Council is leading community engagement on the designs. This has included engaging with the community at the Point Lookout Markets at the Minjerribah Futures stand, as well as meeting individually with business owners and key groups across the island in July.
The works will be installed later this year.
For more information or to have your say on the designs, visit the project page on Council’s Your Say site.
