Controversial Artworks in Brisbane

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Great art is often emotional, inspirational, thought-provoking, and sometimes controversial; as is the case with three of Queensland's recent artwork acquisitions. Commissioned by the former state government, two artworks in Brisbane and another in Conondale National Park have caused quite a controversy with the current state government, the Liberal National Party.



The World Turns, located between the Brisbane River and GOMA, was described by the Liberal Arts Minister, Ros Bates, as a shocking misuse of taxpayer's money. The five metre high, five and a half tonne, bronze sculpture was unveiled at GOMA in December 2012, in time for the opening of The 7th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art . It was commissioned to commemorate the fifth anniversary of GOMA (2011) at a cost of $1 million dollars. While the Minister of Arts was quick to add that she was not critical of the artist or the artwork itself, she questioned why an international artist had been chosen.

Created by New Zealand artist, Michael Parekowhai , The World Turns is an upside down life-sized elephant staring at a native water rat or kuril (the statue is located at Kurilpa Point, named after the kuril). The elephant and the kuril represent cultures coming together. The Arts Minister has since described the artwork as "really interesting". The installation also features a chair for contemplation, but on my visit the chair was missing.



Celebrated Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama was commisioned to create an artwork for the brand new Brisbane Supreme Court and District Court building (415 George Street), along with two Australian artists. Unveiled in August 2012, Thousands of Eyes features three-hundred and fifty steel and enamel eyes floating along a sloping, curved wall in the public plaza. Described by the Justice Minister, Jarrod Bleijie, as "wasteful" and "unnecessary", the ninety-metre mural cost taxpayers $970,000. Thousands of Eyes, also known as Eyes Are Singing Out, is representative of a watchful public. It is Kusama's first permanent public artwork in Australia. The Justice Minister was also unimpressed with an artwork featuring coloured geometric shapes on the ceiling of the court's foyer by Brisbane artist, Gemma Smith. He is quoted as saying "White paint would have been good for me."



Strangler Cairn, created by English environmental sculptor Andy Goldsworthy , has also received criticism from the Liberal State Government. Commissioned by the Department of Environment and Resource Management, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Division, this egg-shaped sculpture cost $684,000. Thirty tonne of granite and slate, from a local quarry, was airlifted by helicopter to the remote location in Conondale National Park, a two hour drive from Brisbane. The artist planted a small strangler fig in the sculpture, which in time will grow and 'strangle' the cairn. Strangler Cairn is located on the Conondale Range Great Walk; fifty-six kilometres of rugged terrain, ancient rainforest, and flowing waterfalls. For more information on this controversial cairn, including how to get there, click here .

All of these projects were funded or partly-funded by art place, a public art fund which was initiated by the former Labor government. It promised to invest $10 million over four years, 2010 to 2014, towards high quality public art. It was announced in the 2012-2013 Liberal Budget that the Queensland Public Art Fund would finish, with no further funding available. All agreements in place for existing projects under the program would be honoured.

What do you think; waste of money or weird and wonderful?

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