Museum of Brisbane goes beyond gallery walls on free walking tours of The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct public artworks.
Museum of Brisbane is taking its expertise to the city streets with the launch of newly-curated immersive walking tours through The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf Brisbane that explore the art, history, and architecture within Brisbane’s visionary new lifestyle and cultural precinct from November 2024.
The bespoke 45-minute walking tours are for a limited time FREE and will showcase Brisbane’s newest multi-million-dollar public outdoor art gallery as well as visits to key heritage sites in the precinct. Hear from expert guides who will share stories of the First Nations people of the area and the connections to the artwork on display.
Expertly led by MoB guides, visitors will explore twelve football fields of public space, as part of the $3.6 billion tourism precinct to discover large scale artworks by First Nations, Queensland and international artists, spanning alfresco murals, digital light projections, sculpture and floating botanical gardens as well as the historic surrounds of the riverfront site.
Museum of Brisbane CEO/Director Zoe Graham said the new curated public art walks present a unique way to explore the city and get up close to these extraordinary new artworks.
“Our fully immersive art walks highlighting The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct expand on the series of Museum of Brisbane walking tours introduced in spring 2020, which have revealed the history of Brisbane and the vibrant public art displayed across the city to thousands of visitors,” Ms Graham said.
“These new guided tours, led by our talented team of expert art and history guides, will take visitors on a journey to the past as we share insights on the cultural significance of the site and engage with the contemporary ideas and inspirations behind the new artworks featured in the precinct.
Part of a two-year partnership between Museum of Brisbane and our newest neighbour, The Star Brisbane, free daily guided walking tours will commence 11 November 2024 and continues our commitment to uncovering our city’s past and celebrating the many artists who call Brisbane home.”
Internationally renowned, Brisbane-based Chinese-Australian sculptor Lindy Lee will contribute the signature artwork, Being Swallowed by the Milky Way, an eight-metre-tall, eight-tonne bronze oblong that lights up at night, while local artist Justene Williams’ Sheila is a larger-than-life bronze goddess that cuts an arresting female figure. Nature is a prominent theme in the alfresco art with leading First Nations artist Tony Albert creating a 15-metre floating botanical garden of native plants, titled Inhabitant, alongside the late Wukun Wanambi’s Destiny, a large-scale aluminium sculpture of three mullet fish and Lungfish Dreamz, a supersized mosaic wall by local artist Samuel Tupou. Works by high profile international artists, Sir Antony Gormely OBE RA and Tom Friedman, will feature alongside the Australian artists.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the new tour would reveal the history behind these heritage sites while embracing exciting new parts of the Queen’s Wharf precinct.
“There’s so much to see and do in Brisbane and our walking tours will help bring more of our city’s history and culture to life” Cr Schrinner said.
“Brisbane is embarking on an exciting new chapter and these tours will protect the stories of our city’s past while making Brisbane even better for the future.”
The Star Brisbane CEO Daniel Finch said the tourism development site at the heart of the multi-million-dollar Queen’s Wharf Brisbane holds enormous cultural significance for local Indigenous communities and as the birthplace of Brisbane settlement.
“We are enormously proud of our investment in the stunning array of public artworks featuring local, First Nations and international artists across the 12-hectare precinct,” Mr Finch said.
“In addition, the ongoing revitalisation of one of the greatest collections of heritage buildings will ensure an enduring legacy for the city.
“Joining forces with Museum of Brisbane as the preeminent curators of our city’s history and creativity to further expose and amplify these cultural gems to locals and visitors alike will further celebrate the ‘Best of Brisbane’ as we head towards 2032.”
Museum of Brisbane x The Star Walking Tours
Wednesday, Friday & Sunday from 11 November 2024
Duration: 30-45 minutes
Tickets: Free
Museum of Brisbane, Level 3, City Hall
Open daily
