20 september 2022

Herston Quarter brought to life with engaging new public are installations

 

The newly installed art within the Herston Quarter Heritage Precinct provides an opportunity to create uniting threads through the precinct, which enhance the arrival experience and support activation of the public realm.

Knowing that art informally becomes part of the visitors’ experience, Herston Quarter has carefully selected public artworks to support the wellbeing of diverse audiences who may frequent the precinct.

The collection of artworks have been designed to complement the heritage architecture, adding a layer of meaning and activation.

The art includes a significant interactive piece, smaller discovery pieces and three temporary pieces.

Australian Unity’s Herston Quarter Development Director Richard McLachlan said the public art would be a drawcard for visitors and help to shape and unite the different elements of the Herston Quarter precinct.

“We wanted the art to enhance the arrival experience for visitors, support the use of the public realm and make it easy for people to find their way through the precinct,” he said.

The interactive seating is the most substantial of the new art and has been designed by nationally recognised First Nations artist Elisa Jane Carmichael.

Resembling interlocked weaving, the seating’s design has woven cast strings embedded in their bases which are inspired by a string making technique that seeks to link the past, present and future.

Carmichael says they are also symbolic of the Strings of Waterholes close to Herston Quarter which were plentiful in water and abundant in material which supported weaving and food supplies.

“String making is a weaving technique which has sustained life for millennia for First Nations people all around the world. When weaving string, we weave strands together to make them stronger. Just like we do as humans when we come together as a community.”

“The seating’s design elements are inspired by gatherings, a place for coming together, a space which will function as both a yarning circle and a healing circle,” Ms Carmichael said.

Drawing on her own experience as a weaver, Elisa Janees this space being both a quiet area for reflection or where the community can come together to create a weaving circle.

“Weaving is very healing and contributes to positive mental health and social wellbeing,” she said.

The full circular form of the design is more than six metres in diameter, however it has been separated into multiple sections to provide alternative seating for individuals or groups in different parts of the precinct.

Where the seating loops open, the native plant Lomandra, which once grew in the area and is used as a traditional weaving fibre, will be planted. The newly installed art within the Herston Quarter Heritage Precinct provides an opportunity to create uniting threads through the precinct, which enhance the arrival experience and support activation of the public realm.

Knowing that art informally becomes part of the visitors’ experience, Herston Quarter has carefully selected public artworks to support the wellbeing of diverse audiences who may frequent the precinct.

The collection of artworks have been designed to complement the heritage architecture, adding a layer of meaning and activation.

The art includes a significant interactive piece, smaller discovery pieces and three temporary pieces.

Australian Unity’s Herston Quarter Development Director Richard McLachlan said the public art would be a drawcard for visitors and help to shape and unite the different elements of the Herston Quarter precinct.

“We wanted the art to enhance the arrival experience for visitors, support the use of the public realm and make it easy for people to find their way through the precinct,” he said.

The interactive seating is the most substantial of the new art and has been designed by nationally recognised First Nations artist Elisa Jane Carmichael.

Resembling interlocked weaving, the seating’s design has woven cast strings embedded in their bases which are inspired by a string making technique that seeks to link the past, present and future.

Carmichael says they are also symbolic of the Strings of Waterholes close to Herston Quarter which were plentiful in water and abundant in material which supported weaving and food supplies.

“String making is a weaving technique which has sustained life for millennia for First Nations people all around the world. When weaving string, we weave strands together to make them stronger. Just like we do as humans when we come together as a community.”

“The seating’s design elements are inspired by gatherings, a place for coming together, a space which will function as both a yarning circle and a healing circle,” Ms Carmichael said.

Drawing on her own experience as a weaver, Elisa Janees this space being both a quiet area for reflection or where the community can come together to create a weaving circle.

“Weaving is very healing and contributes to positive mental health and social wellbeing,” she said.

The full circular form of the design is more than six metres in diameter, however it has been separated into multiple sections to provide alternative seating for individuals or groups in different parts of the precinct.

Where the seating loops open, the native plant Lomandra, which once grew in the area and is used as a traditional weaving fibre, will be planted.

Mr McLachlan said the seating was a wonderful addition to the public realm and celebrated the Indigenous history of the site while also providing a place where First Nations people could come and feel a sense of cultural connection.

As well as the interpretive art, a collection of discovery pieces, titled Blue Tribute by artist Belinda Smith have been installed in the Edith Cavell Building, once part of the nurses’ quarters, and in the surrounding public realm.

Smith prepared the work in recognition of the nurses who lived and worked in the Heritage Precinct.

Blue Tribute uses the simplicity of the heart shape which Belinda identifies with a profession epitomised by care, courage, dedication and friendship.

“It takes heart to be a nurse – the training, the vocation, the service. A career taking care of others, having courage, giving strength,” Ms Smith said.

In a further mark of respect to the nursing community, the dominant colour on the artwork is Cerulean Blue, the same colour that appears on Queensland Registered Nurses badge.

Mr McLachlan said the discovery artworks provide an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of the women who lived and worked at Herston Quarter and who advocated for the advancement of healthcare in Queensland. The countless nurses who have trained, lived and served in the hospitals of this precinct.”

The third art installation includes three vibrantly designed temporary totem displays which take pride of place in the area surrounding Herston Square.

The totems feature the work of Cara-Ann Simpson, Kym Tabulo and James Hornsby and have been positioned to capture the attention of UniLodge students and others visiting the precinct.

All art works were selected because of their alignment with Australian Unity’s vision to create a diverse and vibrant space where people can reflect and connect.

Herston Quarter is a $1.1 billion priority development area being delivered by Australian Unity as a master-planned, mixed use community comprising world-class health infrastructure, student and commercial accommodation, childcare and supporting complementary uses.

Herston Quarter is proud to be part of the internationally renowned Herston Health Precinct, situated among world leading research and tertiary institutes and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

Mr McLachlan said the seating was a wonderful addition to the public realm and celebrated the Indigenous history of the site while also providing a place where First Nations people could come and feel a sense of cultural connection.

As well as the interpretive art, a collection of discovery pieces, titled Blue Tribute by artist Belinda Smith have been installed in the Edith Cavell Building, once part of the nurses’ quarters, and in the surrounding public realm.

Smith prepared the work in recognition of the nurses who lived and worked in the Heritage Precinct.

Blue Tribute uses the simplicity of the heart shape which Belinda identifies with a profession epitomised by care, courage, dedication and friendship.

“It takes heart to be a nurse – the training, the vocation, the service. A career taking care of others, having courage, giving strength,” Ms Smith said.

In a further mark of respect to the nursing community, the dominant colour on the artwork is Cerulean Blue, the same colour that appears on Queensland Registered Nurses badge.

Mr McLachlan said the discovery artworks provide an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of the women who lived and worked at Herston Quarter and who advocated for the advancement of healthcare in Queensland. The countless nurses who have trained, lived and served in the hospitals of this precinct.”

The third art installation includes three vibrantly designed temporary totem displays which take pride of place in the area surrounding Herston Square.

The totems feature the work of Cara-Ann Simpson, Kym Tabulo and James Hornsby and have been positioned to capture the attention of UniLodge students and others visiting the precinct.

All art works were selected because of their alignment with Australian Unity’s vision to create a diverse and vibrant space where people can reflect and connect.

Herston Quarter is a $1.1 billion priority development area being delivered by Australian Unity as a master-planned, mixed use community comprising world-class health infrastructure, student and commercial accommodation, childcare and supporting complementary uses.

Herston Quarter is proud to be part of the internationally renowned Herston Health Precinct, situated among world leading research and tertiary institutes and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.