Contemporary Art and Architecture Public Art Trail
Explore artworks within public and private developments across the CBD on the Contemporary Art and Architecture Trail.
About the trail
The Contemporary Art and Architecture Trail showcases the diverse and impressive artworks installed as part of building developments across the city.
Over the years, private owners have contributed public art as part of developments.
In many of these developments, the artwork is closely linked to, or integrated with, the building design and located in building foyers, facades or laneways.
Contemporary Art and Architecture Trail map
Points of interest
'Raphael, the Traveller', Bruno Catalano (2024), South Brisbane
Artist: Bruno Catalano
Location: 30 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
Description: Raphael, the Traveller, by internationally renowned French sculptor, Bruno Catalano Raphael, sparks curiosity and intrigue among viewers visiting the vibrant Fish Lane Precinct.
Materials: Cast bronze
Artwork type: Freestanding sculpture
Installation date: 2024
'Echo', Nike Savvas (2015), South Brisbane
Artist: Nike Savvas
Location: 109 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane
Description: Nike Savvas is an award-winning Australian artist, known for her immersive installations. The artwork Echo adds vibrant colours and liveliness to the adjacent retail and dining venues.
Materials: Coloured acrylic and lighting
Artwork type: Suspended
Installation date: 2015
'bloodlines weaving string and water', Judy Waston (2022), South Brisbane
Artist: Judy Watson
Location: 44 Hope Street, South Brisbane
Description: Judy Watson is an award wining Aboriginal artist, with numerous public art commissions. This artwork incorporates Brisbane River flood maps of Kurilpa Point, which is a sacred and extremely important location to the many Indigenous groups.
Materials: Laser cut Bisalloy
Artwork type: Facade / wall artwork
Installation date: 2022
'Once Again', Lincoln Austin (2009), Brisbane
Artist: Lincoln Austin
Location: 32 Turbot Street, Brisbane City
Description: Lincoln Austin is a nationally recognised Brisbane based artist. This artwork can be seen as representing a map, a number of possible paths or routes; the central (red) blade of each bundle being the shortest, the outer (dark green) blade being the longest.
Materials: Laser cut, folded, powder coated aluminium
Artwork type: Facade / wall artwork
Installation date: 2009
Viewing tip: This artwork is best viewed inside the arcade in Santos Place.
'Fluency', Hannah Quinlivan (2022), Brisbane City
Artist: Hannah Quinlivan
Location: 80 Ann Street, Brisbane City
Description: Fluency by Australian artist Hannah Quinlivan was inspired by the Brisbane River as a source of life, energy and bounty.
Materials: Ceramic ink on glass, powder coated aluminium, and stainless steel cable
Artwork type: Suspended
Installation date: 2022
'What Becomes of the Clouds', Megan Cope (2022), Brisbane City
Artist: Megan Cope
Location: 80 Ann Street, Brisbane City
Description: What Becomes of the Clouds, by Qandamooka artist Megan Cope, echoes the landscape and history of 80 Ann St, remembering the creek which used to run through the site.
Materials: Laminated glass and bronze inlays
Artwork type: Soffit
Installation date: 2022
'The sound that light makes', Alex Knox (2017), Brisbane City
Artist: Alex Knox
Location: 300 George Street, Brisbane City
Description: Spanning 2660 square metres The sound that light makes is comprised of over 2500 3D pressed and planar aluminium panels. The work uses geometric and organic shapes to explore the effect of light shimmering on the surface of water.
Materials: Pressed aluminium panels
Artwork type: Facade / wall artwork
Installation date: 2017
'Everyday Devotional', John Meade (2017), Brisbane City
Artist: John Meade
Location: 140 Alice Street, Brisbane City
Description: This freestanding sculpture was designed to complement the curving architectural lines of the Wood Marsh designed building. The softly abstracted form of the sculpture presents a figurative expression of the joy of living.
Materials: Cast aluminium
Artwork type: Freestanding sculpture
Installation date: 2017
'Grounded in the present', Robert Andrew (2021), Brisbane City
Artist: Robert Andrew
Location: 12 Creek Street, Brisbane City
Description: Invoking references to pre-colonial times, forms, people and places, this artwork gestures to the ecological history of 12 Creek Street by highlighting the region’s endemic mangrove trees and proximity to the river.
Materials: Cast concrete, cast bronze, and steel
Artwork type: Ground plane
Installation date: 2021
'supernatural landscape', Danie Mellor (2015), Brisbane City
Artist: Danie Mellor
Location: 480 Queen Street, Brisbane City
Description: This artwork presents the rich visual narrative of an abundant rainforest canopy. The artists signature blue style was originally inspired by the transferware imagery used for dinnerware such as Wedgewood.
Materials: Laminated glass panels
Artwork type: Facade / wall artwork
Installation date: 2015
