World Expo '88 Public Art Trail - 30th anniversary
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of World Expo '88, Brisbane City Council has extended the self-guided World Expo '88 Public Art Trail to include additional Expo associated artworks and artefacts. Council has also undertaken a number of restorations and relocations of some of the artworks, giving residents and visitors better access to this fantastic cultural resource.
Many sites are located within walking distance of Brisbane’s Central Business District and two artworks are located at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha. Take a closer look at these iconic artworks and landmarks that give residents and visitors a sense of the celebration that World Expo '88 was and the legacy of this city-shaping event.
Find out more about World Expo '88 by visiting the John Oxley Library blog.
World Expo '88 Public Art Trail - 30th Anniversary online map and text views
Select an icon to read about each artwork in the public art trail and to view an image.
As an alternative to the online map, toggle to 'map view' (toggle is above map) for artwork and location information without images.
View all artworks in this trail in the World Expo '88 Public Art Trail - 30th Anniversary album in Council's Flickr account. You can also view artworks in Council's other public art trails in the 'Public Art Trails' collection.
World Expo '88 Public Art Trail map
World Expo 88 - 30th anniversary map accessible text view
| Artwork name | Location information | Description | Suburb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous Division | Roma Street Parklands, situated near the College Close carpark, Brisbane City |
Artist: Greg Johns Suburb: Brisbane City Forged from corten steel Continuous Division is now located at Roma Street Parklands. |
Brisbane City |
| Forme del Mito | Edward Street, Brisbane City |
Artist: Arnaldo Pomodoro Suburb: Brisbane City Forme del Mito by internationally renowned Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro tells the tragic story of Agamemnon from Ancient Greece. Fabricated in cast bronze each piece has its own identity. ‘The Prophet’ Cassandra, ‘The Machine’ Aegisthus, ‘Ambition’ Clytesmnestra and ‘Power’ Agamemnon King of Mycenea. This artwork has recently been restored, as part of Council's restorations and relocation works for the 30th anniversary. |
Brisbane City |
| Gestation | Queen Street Mall, Brisbane City |
Artist: Baile Oakes Suburb: Brisbane City Gestation is the first work in a series of monumental sculptures created by American artist Baile Oakes. Commissioned for World Expo '88, the artwork was created in Seattle and flown to Brisbane, where it has remained since. The spiral structure of the sculpture, references the cyclical and balanced nature of our world, which nurtures and evolves all life forms. This artwork has recently been restored, as part of Council’s artwork restoration and relocations works for the 30th anniversary. |
Brisbane City |
| Juxtaposition 1 |
King Edward Park, Brisbane City
|
Artist: Robert J. Morris Suburb: Brisbane City Juxtaposition 1 artist Robert J Morris exhibited an artwork from the same sculptural series entitled Rainforest on the World Expo '88 site. Best known for his abstract painting, Morris also created sculptural work and jewellery. His work is held in several collection across Australia, including the University of Queensland Art Museum Collection. |
Brisbane City |
| Memories of Wind |
King Edward Park, Wickham Terrace, Brisbane City
|
Artist: Fumio Nishmura Suburb: Brisbane City Memories of Wind was one of four sculptures exhibited at World Expo '88 by Japanese artist, Fumio Nishimura. Soft lines of a female figure emerge from the sculpture’s abstract granite forms. The figure remains unaffected by the passing of time in its environment, as Nishimura contrasts the ephemeral state of memory with the permanency of stone. |
Brisbane City |
| Mirage |
Brisbane Arcade, Queen Street Mall, Brisbane City
|
Artist: Gidon Graetz Suburb: Brisbane City This optical illusion is another popular piece from World Expo '88. Fabricated in stainless steel the piece looks different from every angle. Notoriously difficult to photograph, Mirage is now located in Brisbane Arcade. |
Brisbane City |
| Morning Star II |
City Botanic Gardens, close to entrance to QUT, Brisbane City
|
Artist: Jon Barlow Hudson Suburb: Brisbane City In 1988, acclaimed American sculptor, Jon Barlow Hudson, was commissioned to create Morning Star II for World Expo '88. The colossal sculpture was originally installed at the centre of the expo site within ‘Times Square’. Barlow Hudson harnesses the technologies of mirrored steel to integrate and reflect the environment the sculpture is situated within. |
Brisbane City |
| Plant Form |
City Botanic Gardens, Bunya Walk, Brisbane City
|
Artist: Robert Juniper Suburb: Brisbane City Throughout his career, Juniper created a number of ‘plant form’ sculptures - the forms are derived from his semi-abstract landscape paintings. Originally from Western Australia, Juniper interpreted Australian fauna through abstract rendering of oversized steel planes. Plant Form was loaned by the artist for World Expo '88 and later purchased by Brisbane City Council. |
Brisbane City |
| Saluting Scout |
Brisbane Square Library, Level 2, 266 George Street (river wall display), Brisbane City
|
Artist: Artbusters Suburb: Brisbane City Following the successful commission of the almost 80 life-size Human Factor artworks, this small-scale sculpture was created by Artbusters, and gifted to the city. The sculpture depicts a saluting Scout, a pose which has also been captured in the cast-from-life sculpture Be Prepared. |
Brisbane City |
| The Human Factor series - The Juggler |
King George Square deck, Brisbane City
|
Artist: Artbusters Suburb: Brisbane City The Human Factor series was created by Brisbane’s Artbusters in the late 1980s. The first iterations of this iconic series were installed throughout the World Expo '88 site. The figure seen here today has been re-imaged and re-cast for the 30th anniversary of World Expo '88, giving residents and visitors a sense of the celebration that World Expo '88 was. |
Brisbane City |
| The Human Factor series - The Trapeze Artist |
King George Square carpark entry, Adelaide Street, Brisbane City
|
Artist: Artbusters Suburb: Brisbane City The Human Factor series was created by Brisbane’s Artbusters in the late 1980s. The first iterations of this iconic series were installed throughout the World Expo '88 site. The figure seen here today has been re-imaged and re-cast for the 30th anniversary of World Expo '88, giving residents and visitors a sense of the celebration that World Expo '88 was. |
Brisbane City |
| Times Square |
Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane City
|
Suburb: Brisbane City This commemorative stone features elements from Jon Barlow Hudson’s sculpture Morning Star II, which was installed in the center of the World Expo '88 site, known as 'Times Square'. The complete sculpture is now residing in the City Botanic Gardens. |
Brisbane City |
| The Human Factor series - The Drover and his Mate |
RNA Showgrounds, 631 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills
|
Artist: Artbusters Suburb: Bowen Hills Commissioned for World Expo ’88 the Human Factor series was a recognisable, appealing and somewhat whimsical depictions of Australian life. Cast from life, the almost eighty figures acted to unify the site in an ever-changing streetscape of entertainers. |
Bowen Hills |
| The Human Factor series - The Ramp (part) | Murarrie Recreation Reserve, 1233 Wynnum Road, Cannon Hill |
Artist: Artbusters Suburb: Cannon Hill Commissioned for World Expo ’88 the Human Factor series was a recognisable, appealing and somewhat whimsical depictions of Australian life. Cast from life, the almost eighty figures acted to unify the site in an ever-changing streetscape of entertainers. |
Cannon Hill |
| Carol Lloyd Memorial and tribute | Beirne Lane, TC Beirne & Co, 321 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley |
Suburb: Fortitude Valley The Carol Lloyd Memorial was installed at the TC Beirne and Co building, along the laneway that connects Brunswick Street Mall and 30 Duncan St, Fortitude Valley and provides a short history of Carol Lloyd and her significance in the development of live music in Brisbane City and Fortitude Valley. Carol co-wrote the iconic 'Together, We'll Show the World' theme song for World Expo '88. |
Fortitude Valley |
| The Human Factor series - Be Prepared | 200 River Terrace, Kangaroo Point |
Artist: Artbusters Suburb: Kangaroo Point Commissioned for World Expo ’88 the Human Factor series was a recognisable, appealing and somewhat whimsical depictions of Australian life. Cast from life, the almost eighty figures acted to unify the site in an ever-changing streetscape of entertainers. |
Kangaroo Point |
| The Man and Matter series |
Kangaroo Point Cliffs Boardwalk, Lower River Terrace, Kangaroo Point
|
Artist: Peter D Cole Suburb: Kangaroo Point The Man and Matter series consists of 12 steel sculptures installed along the Kangaroo Point Cliffs Boardwalk. Originally, these sculptures were commissioned for the riverside promenade of Brisbane’s World Expo '88. Referencing the World Expo '88 theme of ‘Leisure in the Age of Technology’, Cole considers the relationships between humans and technology through simple visual symbology and the redressing of traditional limitations of sculpture. The iconic red figures are a lasting homage to World Expo '88, and a recognition of Brisbane’s advancement into the 21st century. This artwork has recently been restored, as part of Council’s artwork restoration and relocations works for the 30th anniversary. |
Kangaroo Point |
| The Rock |
Captain Burke Park, Kangaroo Point
|
Artist: Stephen Killick Suburb: Kangaroo Point Originally located near the Australian pavilion at World Expo '88, The Rock responds to the theme of ‘Leisure in the age of Technology’. Killick uses international media and events to create a collection of humorous motifs which record the political issues of the day. |
Kangaroo Point |
| The Human Factor series - The Butterfly Catchers |
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, Mt Coot-tha
|
Artist: Artbusters Suburb: Mt Coot-tha The Human Factor series was created by Brisbane’s Artbusters in the late 1980s. The first iterations of this iconic series were installed throughout the World Expo '88 site. The figure seen here today has been re-imaged and re-cast for the 30th anniversary of World Expo '88, giving residents and visitors a sense of the celebration that World Expo '88 was. |
Mt Coot-tha |
| Great Planet |
Gallery 5, Queensland Art Gallery, South Brisbane
|
Artist: Inge King Suburb: South Brisbane A leading Australian exponent of abstract sculpture, Inge King's Great Planet 1976-77 exemplifies a great simplicity of form, which belies its physical weight. When King began welding in 1959 - one of only a handful of women artists in the field - she used steel (the industrial material of her age) in an expressionist manner, leaving exposed the rugged texture of the welding. Over the years, this texture eventually disappeared and her forms became simpler and more monumental. Beyond its formally satisfying design, Great Planet has an air of mystery, an aura of power and a commanding presence. The sculpture was lent to Expo '88 from the Queensland Art Gallery's collection. Note: Great Planet is part of the QAGOMA Geometries exhibition, on display within the Queensland Art Gallery building until 2 February 2020. Opening hours: 10am-5pm daily. |
South Brisbane |
| Night Companion (Sky Needle) |
Manning Street, South Brisbane
|
Artist: Charles Sutherland Suburb: South Brisbane Perhaps one of the most well-known artworks from World Expo '88 Night Companion (or Sky Needle as it's more commonly known) is artist Charles Sutherland’s interpretation of a sculpture by Robert Owen. |
South Brisbane |
| Paradigm (Marquette) |
State Library of Queensland, 29 Stanley Street, South Brisbane
|
Artist: Jon Barlow Hudson Suburb: South Brisbane Created by acclaimed American sculptor Jon Barlow Hudson, this work is a sectional model of his Paradigm sculpture, which was created for Brisbane's Expo '88. The original Paradigm sculpture was constructed of stainless steel, measured 30 metres in height, and was a dominant feature outside the USA pavilion at the northern end of the Expo site. Paradigm was based on the double helix of the DNA molecule, and during Expo '88 it housed 66 aeroplane landing lights, making it a memorable feature of Brisbane's night-time landscape. |
South Brisbane |
| The 'Human Factor' series - Bruce the Unicyclist | Ernest Street Parkway and Stanley Street Plaza, South Bank, South Brisbane |
Artist: Artbusters Suburb: South Brisbane The Human Factor series was created by Brisbane’s Artbusters in the late 1980s. The first iterations of this iconic series were installed throughout the World Expo '88 site. The figure seen here today has been re-imaged and re-cast for the 30th anniversary of World Expo '88, giving residents and visitors a sense of the celebration that World Expo '88 was.
|
South Brisbane |
| The 'Human Factor' series - Jennifer | South Bank House, Stanley Street Plaza, South Bank, South Brisbane |
Artist: Artbusters Suburb: South Brisbane The Human Factor series was created by Brisbane’s Artbusters in the late 1980s. The first iterations of this iconic series were installed throughout the World Expo '88 site. The figure seen here today has been re-imaged and re-cast for the 30th anniversary of World Expo '88, giving residents and visitors a sense of the celebration that World Expo '88 was. |
South Brisbane |
| The 'Human Factor' series - The Dancers | Melbourne Street and Manning Street, South Brisbane |
Artist: Artbusters Suburb: South Brisbane The Human Factor series was created by Brisbane’s Artbusters in the late 1980s. The first iterations of this iconic series were installed throughout the World Expo ‘88 site. The figure seen here today has been re-imaged and re-cast for the 30th anniversary of World Expo '88, giving residents and visitors a sense of the celebration that World Expo '88 was. |
South Brisbane |
| The Art of Central Australia | Plaza Gallery, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Brisbane |
Artist: Papunya painters Suburb: South Brisbane The paintings in this gallery were originally commissioned for display at World Expo '88. They represent a style of Aboriginal painting that emerged from one of the most remarkable developments in 20th century art. In the early 1970s, 250 kilometres west of Alice Springs at the Aboriginal settlement of Papunya, artists began to paint their traditional designs using modern art materials. John Truscott, the Creative Director of Expo '88, originally proposed the idea of commissioning paintings by Aboriginal artists from the central desert for an Expo display at South Bank. The 27 paintings were assembled in 1987. They were installed as part of the Expo Authority’s own pavilion and were displayed outdoors, under protective sails, in a spiral arrangement devised by Truscott. The collection was called The Art of Central Australia. Note: The Gallery is occasionally closed for functions.
|
South Brisbane |
| Vision | Manning Street, South Brisbane |
Artist: John Ladyman Suburb: South Brisbane Commissioned for World Expo '88 and now in a private collection. The marble used to create Vision comes from the mines around Chillagoe, a small town 200km inland from Cairns where the artist lived from 1885-1988. Describing the carving process as essentially one directional decision-making process. Once acted upon, the decision to remove more material is irrevocable. For this reason, as the work develops, a heightened state of awareness develops along with it. |
South Brisbane |
| INUKSHUK | Victoria Park, between Gregory Terrace and Herston Road, Spring Hill |
Artist: Inuit people of Northwest Territories of Canada Suburb: Spring Hill On the occasion of World Expo '88, the people of the Northwest Territories, Canada, offered their congratulations to the Commonwealth of Australia on its 200th anniversary of nationhood. This stone cairn Inukshuk is a symbol of the two countries. High in the Canadian Arctic, Inuit built stone Inukshuks in the shape of humans to direct herds of migrating caribou to hunters and to act as landmarks for travellers. |
Spring Hill |
| Showdown | Gregory Terrace, Spring Hill |
Artist: Chris Beecroft Suburb: Spring Hill In Australia’s bicentennial year, 1988, Brisbane hosted World Expo '88 for a six month period and welcomed more than 15 million visitors. To showcase Australian art for the duration of the festivities, World Expo '88 commissioned some of Australia’s leading artists to exhibit alongside internationally renowned artists in the World Expo '88 sculpture park. In 2018, Showdown was restored and relocated to Spring Hill to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this city-shaping event. |
Spring Hill |
| World Expo '88 Rainforest Grove |
Anzac Park, Toowong
|
Suburb: Toowong A joint project between Brisbane City Council, World Expo ‘88, Men of the Trees and Greening Australia, the Rainforest Grove is the only remanent of Expo ’88 still in its original location. Planted just prior to the commencement of Expo ‘88, the Rainforest Grove was a beautification project. The Brisbane City Council undertook many street and park beautification projects, mostly on routes from the Airport to the CBD. One exception was the Expo ‘88 Rainforest Grove, undertaken at Mt Coot-tha, as it expected to see a tourist influx during the Expo period. |
Toowong |