Council unveils new First Nations mural at Cleveland Library

A Quandamooka First Nations mural designed by well-known Redlands Coast artists Sandra and Shara Delaney has been officially unveiled at Redland City Council’s Cleveland Library.

The 4.6-metre high, 16.8-metre long mural commissioned by Council, entitled Quandamookajen Yarabinjara, has transformed an external wall fronting the Library forecourt off Middle Street.

Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell said the mural was an extension of the artwork Sandra and Shara designed for another of the Library’s walls as part of NAIDOC cultural celebrations in 2017.

“The new mural is a wonderful addition to our Library and our streetscape, complementing the many other First Nations artworks on display across the CBD and celebrating our city’s rich First Nations culture,” the Mayor said.

“This is the second piece of artwork Sandra and Shara have contributed to the Library building, having worked on the design of the nine-metre tall dabilbahnba (Place of Saltwater) mural in 2017.

“This mural features on the external wall facing Middle Street and is a valued part of the Library’s facade, contributing to the area’s beautification and passing on stories of our city’s Quandamooka heritage to visitors.

“We are privileged that Sandra and Shara have been willing to share their culture and their artwork with the Redlands Coast community once again.

“This new piece will capture the attention of hundreds of people who use the Library forecourt every day, whether they’re travelling to nearby coffee shops, walking between the CBD and Raby Bay harbour, or visiting the Library.

“It is a stunning piece of artwork that tells a story of our area and shares the Jandai language with the Redlands Coast community.”

Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell said Council had no hesitation in commissioning the Quandamookajen Yarabinjara design, with the artwork being added to the wall by mural artist Matthew Newkirk over recent weeks.

“Sandra and Shara’s works are well known across Redlands Coast, and it is easy to see why looking at the detail and thought that has gone into this latest mural,” Cr Mitchell said.

“The piece will complement the many other First Nations artworks displayed on Council buildings in the Cleveland CBD, including the mural Sandra and Shara worked on together in 2017.

“Adding artwork like this to the streetscape is just one way Council is creating a more attractive and welcoming environment in the city centre for visitors and residents, while also helping with wayfinding.”

Sandra said the new artwork depicted many of the same culturally-significant elements as the first mural and tied in with the original theme of ‘Our Languages Matter’.

“The weaving and sea scape across the upper third of the mural represents the woven stories of the three clans of Quandamooka sea country,” she said.

“Below that, the yugari shells represent a link from the present to the past and depict midden sites on the back beaches, which is where the Quandamooka people gathered to share meals.”

Shara said the different cultural elements highlighted in the mural held great significance for Quandamooka people.

“The mural has been designed to recognise the area’s distinct local character and convey that Quandamooka people are Yoolooburrabee – people of the sand and seas,” Shara said.

“Together, we have spent time on the back beaches of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) gathering yugari and cooking them in various ways.

“It has been wonderful working on this mural with my mother and sharing our cultural heritage, traditions and knowledge with the Redlands Coast community once again.”

Redland City Council provides a suite of services to 166,873 residents and more than 63,000 residential households across Redlands Coast. Our naturally wonderful city on Quandamooka Country is home to more than 335 kilometres of coastline, six island communities and 12 mainland suburbs.