A public art project exploring aboriginal history through cartographic records has been installed at two sites this week as part of the second Quandamooka Festival.
Redland City Acting Mayor Wendy Boglary said the artwork, by acclaimed Quandamooka artist Megan Cope, had been installed on the wall of Council’s main administration building adjacent to the Redland Art Gallery and on the Howard Walker Jetty, North Stradbroke Island.
“Titled Twice Removed – Quandamooka, the artwork has been digitally reproduced as two duplicate prints and installed at two sites – one in the heart of the Cleveland CBD and another at Dunwich, the gateway to the homeland of the Quandamooka people,” she said.
“The installations coincide with the final week of this year’s Quandamooka Festival and will be in full view for visitors travelling to North Stradbroke Island for the festival’s kunjiel (corroboree) on Saturday 17 September.”
The Quandamooka Festival Temporary Art Project is an initiative of the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) partnered by Redland City Council.
QYAC CEO Cameron Costello said the design featured military and parish maps of South East Queensland, revisiting significant sites where displacement or relocation had occurred.
“Part of Megan Cope’s 2014 series Twice Removed, this artwork includes water level rises to remind us that this history of survival and hardship exists in living memory today,” he said.
“We hope this initiative paves the way for more public art projects in the Redlands celebrating the culture, country and the people of Quandamooka.”
The banners will be displayed from September 2016 to March 2017 on the wall adjacent to the Redland Art Gallery, Middle Street, Cleveland and on the Harold Walker Jetty at Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island. It is the first of a changing display of temporary banner art at both sites as part of Creative Arts Redlands’ Public Art Program.
Tickets for the Quandamooka Festival kunjiel are available from RPAC or at the gate. Visit the Art Gallery for more information about the gallery and its exhibitions.