Indigenous artwork to greet international Qantas passengers

An installation inspired by stories from language groups across south-east Queensland will take pride of place at the revamped Qantas International Lounge in Brisbane.

Aunty Colleen Wall, Uncle Bob Anderson, Gilimbaa artist Jenna Lee

Aunty Colleen Wall and Uncle Bob Anderson were among those who collaborated with Gilimbaa artist Jenna Lee to create the installation. Source: David Williams, Gilimbaa

Unveiled today, the piece was created by Jenna Lee, an artist from Indigenous design agency Gilimbaa, in collaboration with Murri Elders. 

Named The Pulse of Our Ancient Land, it depicts the landscape passengers see as they touch down in Brisbane, brought to life through glass, watercolour and moving lights.

"The first time we met with the elders, we said, 'what do you want people to know?'. And they said, 'our land is alive and when you fly over it, it's pulsating and it has beauty', and that really summarises the artwork," says Ms Lee. 

"(It's) specific to this place, in terms of Aboriginal people, and the stories that our elders wanted travelers to know."
Indigenous artwork at Qantas Brisbane lounge
The art installation is displayed at the entrance to the Qantas lounge at Brisbane International Airport. Source: Qantas
The stories behind the piece are explained in a description beside the artwork, in English and in language.

It's hoped the prominently-placed art will encourage overseas visitors to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. 

"It’s important for us that we reflect the heritage of our history, and the history of Australia as well, so having that art installation in the entranceway into this land is very, very important for us," says Qantas International CEO Gareth Evans.

"It’ll be great for all our Australian guests, our Queensland guests and our international guests as well... to be able to look at it and interact with it, and learn a bit more about the heritage of this part of the world."

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Published 18 October 2016 5:53pm
Updated 20 October 2016 11:16am
By Ella Archibald-Binge
Source: NITV News


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