Mural forms centrepiece of Redland Art Gallery upgrade

Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland has received an upgrade that includes a mural designed and painted by local artists.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the mural in the baby care area aimed to create a welcoming and warm environment for visiting parents, guardians and children.

“Redland Art Gallery holds great art events for children, and we would like to see them continue to participate and also be welcomed by this new and improved environment,” Cr Williams said.

“Council commissioned two local artists, Troy Robbins and Jan Laing, to design and create a painted wall mural within the baby care area, adjacent to the gallery’s rear entrance.

“Troy is a resident of Cleveland and a passionate water travel/barge enthusiast, which is a really important aspect of our Redlands Coast story.

“Jan has been a resident of Redlands Coast for more than 40 years and has been an art teacher at Cleveland State High School, working across many artistic mediums.”

The mural concept allows the viewer’s eye to move past the flat wall, and ‘look out’ of a marine vessel to enjoy aspects of Redlands Coast on Quandamooka Country.

Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell said the mural was inspired by the return of the MV Moongalba ferry.

“Moongalba was the second vessel introduced into the Stradbroke Ferries fleet and, after a four-year stint in Tasmania, returned in 2022 to operate between Cleveland and Minjerribah,” he said.

“This mural offers a colourful view of local wildlife as seen through the vessel’s windows.”

Troy Robbins, who invited his former high school art teacher Jan Laing to join him in painting the mural, said the mural was inspired by a photo he took of the Moongalba’s beautiful wheelhouse.

“I’m very passionate about nature and about Moreton Bay – it’s been my backyard since I was five years old,” Mr Robbins said.

“To get an opportunity to express both of those in a mural made this one of the most special art projects I’ve ever created.”

The mural features many local birds including the eastern curlew, godwits, shags, Caspian tern and brahminy kite.

“The mural has a real whimsical aspect. There is an osprey looking in one of the windows, which I thought was fun, and if you look carefully, you’ll spot a kiwi and a Tasmanian devil, both of which pay homage to where the Moongalba has served,” Mr Robbins said.

The upgrade at the gallery included the repair and painting of floors and walls, updated track lighting, and renovation of the baby care area.

The Redland Art Gallery Babycare Facilities Upgrade project was made possible through $30,000 funding from the Australian Government through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. This program supports local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia.