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Queensland axes Indigenous art for Brisbane sign
A state corporation reversed approval for Aboriginal artwork on an iconic landmark, amplifying concerns about Indigenous erasure in government activities.
In brief
A state corporation reversed approval for Aboriginal artwork on an iconic landmark, amplifying concerns about Indigenous erasure in government activities. South Bank Corporation withdrew approval for temporary Aboriginal artwork on the Brisbane sign during Clancestry festival, citing a newly appointed board's lack of…
The Brisbane sign and its moment
The Brisbane sign overlooks the city's heart and river. South Bank Corporation calls it an iconic photo stop. Even tennis legend Roger Federer was filmed there.
Clancestry festival plans the artwork
This year's Clancestry festival ran for ten days from July thirty. The Queensland Performing Arts Centre planned to temporarily reskin the Brisbane sign with traditional patterns and colours designed by Nunukul artist Casey Coolwell-Fisher.
The cost and the approval
The fifteen thousand one hundred seventy dollar cost was within the festival budget, enabled by corporate sponsorship from Energy Queensland.South Bank Corporation and all three signatories to the deed controlling the sign approved the reskinning.
Board changes on July three
On July three, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie announced a renewal of South Bank's board. New appointees included former LNP federal member for Brisbane Trevor Evans and incoming chairwoman Karen Howard, a businesswoman who stood as…
Approval withdrawn within five days
Within five days of the board renewal, South Bank Corporation withdrew approval for the artwork.Julia Scodellaro, South Bank's chief executive, emailed QPAC that South Bank was no longer able to provide approval for the sign.
South Bank's explanation
South Bank told the ABC the Brisbane sign was a major asset requiring consideration by the newly constituted board, which it was unable to do in time for Clancestry.
Indigenous leaders see deliberate erasure
Jackie Huggins, director of partnerships and innovation for Indigenous engagement at the University of Queensland, called South Bank's explanation inadequate.
“I think this is a broader agenda for the powers that be to simply and deliberately attempt … to erase our culture and our presence.”
Project Invisibility claims emerge
Indigenous figures including Joshua Creamer, who chaired the cancelled Truth Telling and Healing inquiry, have raised claims of Project Invisibility. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders being removed from boards and programs being defunded.
Government denies Project Invisibility
A Crisafulli state government spokesman said there was no such thing as Project Invisibility and that suggesting otherwise was offensive.
The key point
South Bank Corporation withdrew approval for temporary Aboriginal artwork on the Brisbane sign during Clancestry festival, citing a newly appointed board's lack of time to reconsider.
