Creative lighting

Energy-efficient LED bud lighting installed in a prominent fig tree on the corner of Coronation Drive and Land Street.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Bud lighting in a pine tree and fig tree on the edge of Bowen Park in Bowen Hills. The bud lighting creates an ongoing spectacular visual outcome and gateway into the city and Valley along Bowen Bridge Road, while also turning the park into a stunning night-time venue. Combined with the recently upgraded bandstand, the park is now well-suited as an evening wedding venue.

To enquire about booking Bowen Park, phone Council on 07 3403 8888.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Energy efficient uplighting of the State heritage listed tuff stone Gatekeepers Lodge/Almonry building facade and the column arched gateway entrance along Ann Street, All Hallows School boundary.

Owner: Privately owned

Programmable colour-changing lighting washes the façades of City Hall.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

11 suspended artwork lamp shades. Artwork - Do you see what I see? - Lincoln Austin, 2014.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Energy-efficient LED bud lighting to two fig trees at the City Botanic Gardens domain area adjacent to the Goodwill Bridge. The bud lighting of the expansive tree canopy showcases Brisbane's treasured Botanic Gardens while providing an inviting, vibrant and exciting gateway to the gardens, CBD and South Bank areas. This stunning night-time activation enriches the experience for visitors and locals, pedestrians and commuters.   

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Colour-changing LED lighting to illuminate the central jet and surrounding fan jets.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Located on the back wall of a terrace near the top of the building, the LED lighting system generates messages visible to the public . Artwork - Night watch by Robyn Backen, 2013.

Owner: Privately owned

Large vertical sculpture with changing lighting displays. Artwork - Poinsettia Riverfire - Luke Roberts, 2016.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Colour-changing LED lighting to illuminate the waterfall and smaller jets above.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Programmable colour-changing lighting installed on top of City Hall aimed to wash the King George Square facing façades of the Commonwealth Bank building at 79 Adelaide Street and Hitachi Building at 239 George Street. The colourful façades add to the vibrant atmosphere of King George Square as an engaging night-time destination and exciting event space.

Owner: Brisbane City Council / private building

Bud lighting to fig tree in centre of plaza.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Installation of warm golden festoon lights on wires suspended across Queen Street between Edward and Creek streets.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

15 geodesic spheres ranging in size from 1.3 metres to 2.6 metres in diameter with internal colour-changing lights. Artwork is Steam by Donna Marcus, 2006.

Owner: Brisbane City Council managed

236 economical LED light fittings have been installed under the footpath. These lights can be programmed for variable displays similar to Story Bridge and Brisbane City Hall.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Duet is a series of five illuminated artworks by artist, Belinda Smith, installed on Oxford Street between Bulimba Street and Lytton Road. The peewee birds and Oxford Street sign lightboxes are complemented by three pines illuminated with bud lighting.

The highly visual, placemaking artworks are in five locations, comprised of five different pairs of peewee bird lightboxes, and two Oxford Street lightbox signs. The name 'Bulimba' is from the Yuggera/Goenpul word meaning 'place of magpie-lark' or 'peewee'*. Peewees work in pairs and like a duet, sing and dance to display a united front and scare away intruders, reminding us about the importance of working together.

* Source: State Library of Queensland Information Guide Aboriginal placenames of South-East Queensland licenced under CC by 3.0 AU.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Warm white LED festoon lighting, which are a series of individual lights hanging from a suspended wire, have been installed along the laneway between four poles and the library. The light pole, located in the Corinda Library forecourt garden bed, has also been upgraded to an LED luminaire.

Another creative lighting element, a gobo projector, has been installed near the ramp to the Corinda Library entrance. The projection lighting features designs which reflect the past, flora and fauna and cultural aspects of the area. The gobo designs will be changed periodically.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Projection information

History Books

The Corinda Library building, originally known as the School of Arts was built in 1895. The building was used as a hub for the Corinda community, and refurbished as a library by Brisbane City Council in 1966.

The book designs represent the library as a store of this historic knowledge both literally and figuratively, with important historical dates inscribed on the spines.

Gossia Gonoclada

The species of plant Gossia Gonoclada known as the Angle-stemmed Myrtle, is a distinctive and endangered species of flora that grows in the Corinda area.

The species is native to only the Moreton Bay Area, and Corinda represents the biggest population of Angle-stemmed Myrtle trees in Brisbane City.

Flood Lines

The Corinda area is a floodplain which brings challenges and opportunities. From the fertile lands, to the community spirit to rise above difficult of circumstances, there are two sides to this river.

This design shows the shape of the Oxley Creek catchment and extends to the limits of the geographic flood maps that have had such profound effects upon the area.

Black Cockatoo

The Glossy Black Cockatoo is a native species of the Corinda area and classed as an endangered and vulnerable species. Its distinctive red tail is the inspiration with the red colour indicative of the danger it faces, as well as its own red plumage.

The image of the Black Cockatoo is about to take flight to escape danger, and flourish in a sunset sky as a call-to-action for conservation efforts.

Building Communities

The Corinda sawmill known as 'Brisbane Timbers Ltd.' was founded by David Lahey in 1911 and was an important economic institution in the area. The mills were integral to many significant projects, including the construction of Brisbane's trams. 

The patterns represent the way in which raw timber logs are milled, and the building of the surrounding community.

Crop Lands

The Corinda area was used as farmland from the mid 1800s through to the mid 1900s.

This design represents the life cycle of corn, a major crop grown in the area. The fertile soil of the area gives rise to the growth of the corn crop in four seasons interspersed with our year-round cycles of rain and sunshine.

Two Fish

Two of the local fish species, Flathead and Tilapia, are represented in this design. The image symbolically captures the intersection of Oxley Creek into the Brisbane River. Tilapia is the most populous fish species of Oxley Creek and Flathead are among the most common in the Brisbane River. Contrast is shown in the intersecting currents of both waterways, with the respective fish framed by their own flow lines between the currents. 

Train Tracks

This design represents both the historical and modern significance of the train tracks to the Corinda area.

The woodcut style of illustration uses various intersecting patterned forms to contrast the differing materials of steel, wood, and stone.

Belly Glider

Five of the six Australian species of glider are found in the Oxley Creek Catchment. This design represents the distinctive folds of skin that are found on the bellies of gliders.

Symbolically, the belly also represents an area of vulnerability and speaks to the need for vigilant conservation and protection of native species in the area.

Interwoven History

This design comprises an interwoven pattern from the architraves of the historical Francis Lookout structure known as a ‘lych-gate’. This landmark was erected in 1902 by women’s suffrage activist Angela Francis as a memorial for her family.

The two interwoven lines represent Angela and her husband and fellow activist Arthur, with a clover symbol for each of their five children.

Wetlands Aspect

This design shows a view of the grasslands around the Oxley Creek Catchment and the waterway and the fauna therein.

The Black Swan is shown here as a representation of the abundant bird life that populate the area, including over 170 bird species that have been seen in the past including the Spotless Crake, Pale-vented Bush-hen and White-headed Pigeon.

War and Peace

The Corinda Library building, historically known as The Corinda School of Arts, is one of the most significant sites in Corinda. It was a place of community comfort during both World Wars, and the site of peace and memorial celebrations at their end.

The transition from the strife of war to peacetime calm is depicted through the colours, symbols and lines in this design. The central space represents the building as a key place of community gathering and support.

An installation of programmable bud lighting complemented with glitter globes in five fig trees lining the banks of the Brisbane River in Mowbray Park. The lighting highlights the shape and form of these beautiful large fig trees, creating an atmospheric space to enjoy within the State heritage-listed park, and increasing perceptions of safety at night. Programmed light shows occur every half hour. Hours of operation are dusk to 10.30pm Sunday to Wednesday, and dusk to midnight Thursday to Saturday evenings.   

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Watch a video of the Mowbray Park creative lighting installation on Council's YouTube channel.

Priscilla Bracks' and Gavin Sade's, You Are My Sunshine, celebrates the area's early 20th-century history as Brisbane's epicentre of fashion, lighting the lane with the elegance and style of an Art Deco sconce and adorning the building like a jewel. Past and present are fused by interactive sensor technology that triggers twinkling light for passers-by.

The artwork's title is derived from the once-popular song of the era. Please don't take my sunshine away hints at the fragility of the cultural heritage embodied in architecture, such as the T. C. Beirne building.

An etching pattern by the artists also features in the laneway. The repeated ground plane pattern is inspired by mosaic and geometric Art Deco tiles.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Decorative displays of bud lighting.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Suspended lanterns.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Bud lighting in a fig tree at the corner of Ann and East streets to complement bud lights previously installed by a private property owner on the opposite side of East Street.

Owner: Brisbane City Council / Private

Energy-efficient LED bud lighting to the expansive canopy of the fig tree in the Stones Corner Library forecourt, as well as an upgrade of the furniture and garden bed adjacent to the heritage-listed air raid shelter. Bud lighting of this landmark tree creates a memorable creative lighting landscape feature through lighting for identity, and further provides an attractive gateway to Stones Corner.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Festoon lighting with copper shades, which are a series of individual lights hanging from a single suspended wire, have been installed in a section of the Skylark Village laneway. The laneway has been further improved by two new laneway light pole upgrades with LED luminaires.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Bud lighting to the feature fig tree at the end of the main axis pathway at Captain Burke Park in Kangaroo Point. The bud lighting acts as a beacon highlighting the park's landmark peninsula location on the Brisbane River at Kangaroo Point.  The spectacular visual outcome contributes to an enchanting nighttime space and stunning backdrop for celebrations and events. With great views from within the park as well as across the river, the bud lighting of the fig tree contributes to Brisbane as a vibrant and inviting night time destination.

To enquire about booking Captain Burke Park phone Council on 07 3403 8888.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Brisbane City Council has a number of assets that can be lit up to promote major festivals and events, community awareness campaigns or cultural festivals. Story Bridge lights can be programmed for variable displays.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Bud lighting installed to a prominent fig tree, located between the open lawn and playground. In addition, there are also lawn and tree canopy projections to compliment the tree bud lighting.

The tree canopy projection is on a tree located adjacent to the open lawn (Kelvin Grove Road roadside). The projected imagery reflects the more significant cultural uses the parkland has seen over its long history. The image also recognises the oval’s history as a sports venue, the park's contribution to amateur cycling, as well as paying tribute to the oval’s association with travelling circus companies. The lawn projection is located directly underneath the tree canopy projection, and the projection references the form of a velodrome. The oval was extensively developed as an amateur cycling track in the 1950s and was officially renamed E. E. McCaskie Oval after the father of amateur cycling in Queensland.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Projected artworks feature on the two walls of the Cribb Street walkway underpass at Milton.

The lighting projections animate these local spaces with a program of changing artwork lighting projections, celebrating the local character and creating a new dimension to the city experience. 

The artworks are changed every 12 months.   

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Current artwork

Simon Degroot’s Between Spaces 5 and Between Spaces 6

Simon is a local Brisbane artist and his work has a particular emphasis on details from the built environment, and translates these forms affording new meaning. Between Spaces are designed to highlight the way local identity and a sense of place is closely related to the built environment, observing details from buildings, patterned treatments of surfaces, and fine grain details in and around Milton. Abstracted shapes overlap design details and patterns and the images encourage recognition and familiarity.

Energy-efficient uplighting to three Hill's Fig trees in the road reserve area, on the corner of Moggill Road and Marshall Lane.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Catenary lighting with copper shades has been installed, which are a series of individual lights hanging from a single suspended wire. The laneway light pole has also been upgraded to an LED luminaire.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

An illuminated creative lighting artwork in neon script features on the Bothwell Link laneway wall.

Courtney Coombs artwork, The magic lies in the spaces between, responds to the vibrant, multicultural community of Mount Gravatt, celebrating difference, embracing the unknown and seeing the spaces between us for the magic they can create.

Two gobo lighting projection images also feature in the laneway space. Historial images of the local Mount Gravatt area are projected onto the laneway wall and graphic designed images symbolic of the local area are projected onto the footpath.

Projection information

Early settlement to modern Mount Gravatt
Heritage of Mount Gravatt (2019)

Mount Gravatt was named after Lieutenant George Gravatt, commander of the Moreton Bay Settlement in 1839. This design features the symbol of a wheel taken from the horse and cart used by early settlers to transport goods. The smaller rectangles represent the eventual development of the original farming land into residential land. The design represents change within Mount Gravatt and the development of both the local industry and community.

Mount Gravatt Lookout
Landscape and Environment (2019)

Mount Gravatt Lookout has always been a popular attraction to visitors and residents of the area and this design is an illustration of that view. Organic forms represent the clouds and sky which sits above a structured row of rectangular shapes and interpretation of the CBD and surrounding urban areas. The bottom layer is filled with a leaf pattern representing the eucalypt forests of the surrounding reserve.

Golden Grevilleas
Native Flora (2019)

Golden Grevilleas, Native Flora reflects a variety of the native grevillea species, including Honey Gem and Gold Cluster, found in the Toohey Forest Park and Mount Gravatt Outlook Reserve. This design features a motif of the grevillea flower as a symbol of the native flora which contributes to the beauty of the surrounding landscape, helping to attract birds, native bees and butterflies to the area.

Place of Echidnas
Native Fauna (2019)

Often sighted around dawn and dusk, the Short Beaked Echidna is one of Mount Gravatt's most notable residents. This design features the prints of an echidna's hind claws. The surrounding lines display the characteristic marks of an echidna's walking pattern, created by the hind claws as it slowly passes by.


Slacks Track
The history of Logan Road (2019)

Originally used as a transport route to move cattle and sheep, Slacks Track was named after an early settler, William Slack. As more settlers moved to the area, the track became utilised as the main thoroughfare for transportation. The dotted line across the centre represents Logan Road from a bird's eye view and pays homage to its history as a crucial transportation route.

 

Sounds of the suburbs
Landscape and Environment (2019)

With an abundance of natural beauty in the area, Mount Gravatt attracts many visitors looking to enjoy the outdoors. Popular outdoor activities in the area include bushwalking, hiking, bike riding and bird watching. This design represents the sounds of the landscape. The link merges the texture of the feathers of the blue-winged kookaburra, the feathers of the magpie and the fine lines of the cicada wings.
 

Community seeds
Heritage of Mount Gravatt (2019)

The Mount Gravatt Showgrounds and Memorial Hall were built in 1918 and remain an important centre for cultural and community activities. On the grounds surrounding the hall, there are many Jacaranda trees. The seeds of the trees have been incorporated into this design to represent growth and solidarity. Preserving the history of the area, through an understanding and celebration of the past, allows the local community of Mount Gravatt to prosper.
 

Millions of years in the making
Landscape and Environment (2019)

Millions of years in the making was inspired by the textural detail of the bands of quartzite which can be seen along many rock faces in Mount Gravatt. This design celebrates the ancient history of the land on which we walk and the natural forces that have shaped the landscape. The topography of Mount Gravatt was also an inspiration for this design.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Programmable colour-changing uplighting to illuminate six Queensland Kauri Pines in the median strip at the intersection of Breakfast Creek Road, Ann Street and Wickham Street. The lighting creates a visually exciting night-time gateway into the Valley entertainment precinct.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Newstead Park, located at a visually important peninsula at the mouth of Breakfast Creek and on a bend in the Brisbane River, is a State Heritage-listed park and acts as grounds for Brisbane’s oldest surviving house, Newstead House. Features permanent programmable colour-changing, LED lighting to the main fig at the entry to Newstead House and the two mature trees that flank it. Newstead House is lit in warm white, enhancing the heritage features of the house while projection lighting on the lawn features designs created specifically to reflect qualities of the park and house. The creative lighting provides a vibrant and festive park atmosphere for residents to enjoy; providing a night-time presence that celebrates Newstead Park and its importance.  

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Energy-efficient uplighting to two poinciana trees within the Woods Street Park (road reserve), Sandgate Road, Nundah.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Energy efficient bud lighting to two Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) trees in the road reserve area, on the corner of Rainbow Street and Bowser Parade.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Wall mounted sculpture, internally illuminated visualisations of real-time weather forecasts issued by the Bureau of Meteorology.

Owner: Privately owned

Programmable colour-changing lighting washes the support columns and sides of the bridge at the Montague Road underpass.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Uplights to the Coat of Arms public art, creating a fitting illumination of the artwork.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Bud lighting has been installed to a prominent weeping fig tree on the river’s edge off Hill End Terrace. The feature lighting has created a night-time visual spectacle and celebration of the landscape feature and space, to be enjoyed from the park, the playground and City Cat journeys along the river.  

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Energy-efficient LED bud lighting to a feature fig tree in Clark Park.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Installation of lighting to the State heritage-listed commemorative war memorial pavilion and adjacent fig tree canopy uplighting. Additionally, energy-efficient LED bud lighting to a feature fig tree in Clark Park.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Two large trees, a white fig and a small leaved fig, located within the picnic area of the Wynnum Wading Pool Park have been featured with bud lighting. The bud lighting has created a beautiful canopy of lights and visual display, to improve the experience for park users and add to the appeal of the existing facilities that include seats, tables, barbeques and the children's whale park play area.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

Bud lighting of ten prominent Phoenix canariensis palm trees in the middle of Preston Road and Wondall Road roundabout.

Owner: Brisbane City Council

This creative lighting project in Nundah Village (corner of Boyd Street and Sandgate Road) was switched on in August 2023 and can be viewed every night from dusk.

The project features illuminated elements incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designs as well as bud lighting of the prominent Kauri Pine tree.

The light towers were made by Urban Metal and Cre8tive Nations. The artwork and text was by Luke Mallie and the Yagara words and information by Aunty Kerry Charlton Yagara Gaja Elder 2023.

The towers introduce the Goori story of place, culture and language about the land, the core of spiritual identity and cultural connection. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander words used in the project are listed below with their translations.

Yo-wah: hello (Yo as in yo yo; wah as in bar)
Beren: day (Ber – en)
Maroomba: good (Mar – oom – ba: “oo” as in pull / book)
Balka-ri: come to (Bal – ka – ri)
Nundah: waterhole (Noon – dair)
Kin-kin: children (kin kin)
Namul: babies, small children
Douanpin (water birds) (Do-wan-pin)
Goori: Yagara word for Aboriginal people (Goo-ri: ‘oo’ as in pull/book)
Dir’gou (platypus) (Dirr – gou)
Gaja: elder (Gaja: gah – jah)
Yagara: means no, not, nothing, never, nowhere etc. (Yug-ga-ra)

Owner: Brisbane City Council

View a video of this project