Project Update

Cross River Rail’s four new underground stations will feature 14 pieces of artwork by 13 of Queensland’s most renowned indigenous artists, creating a celebration of the state’s cultural heritage not seen anywhere else.

The works will adorn key features of the new stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street, including the walls near the stations’ escalators, on the platform screen doors and elevators, and in the public areas around the stations.

Roma Street will also feature a huge standalone monumental art wall, measuring 34 metres long and 13 metres high.

The art was selected by highly regarded curator Barbara Flynn and a panel of indigenous art experts, and included consultation with Turrbal and Jagera representatives.

Each piece of art has been created by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artists either born or residing in Queensland, and each artist is highly celebrated and renowned in their own right.
 

In a significant milestone for the project, huge glazed panels have already been installed at Woolloongabba to create the first piece of art in Cross River Rail’s stations.

The piece, titled “plants, waters, gathering time” by Quandamooka (Ngugi) artist Elisa Jane Carmichael, is made up of 108 panels varying in size but up to 2.7 metres long and 1.8 metres wide. The impressive artwork will greet future passengers as they descend the escalators at Woolloongabba.

Ms Carmichael said it was an honour to work alongside other respected First Nations artists to tell the stories of the cultural heritage of the new stations.

“What I’ve created for Woolloongabba is all about acknowledging the area as meeting place of great spiritual significance to First Nations peoples,” Ms Carmichael said.

“While it is exciting to think of what the new station means for the city, it’s important we also acknowledge and honour the past.”

All 14 artworks can be explored online at a new Cross River Rail Station Art website, which can be found here.