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Townsville’s redeveloped $40 million Jezzine Barracks Cultural Precinct
by Jo Gitsham 27 March 2014
T
he launch of the redeveloped $40 million Jezzine Barracks Precinct in Townsville on Saturday 5 April, highlights how public artwork can be used to tell local stories, create a sense of place and inspire cultural harmony. Studies around the world have found community art spaces are one of the factors that attach people to place. These spaces work because they are communal, open and aesthetically pleasing. Not only does public art showcase the culture and beauty of an area, but it also enhances community wellbeing and sustainability. The 15 hectare site of redeveloped parkland celebrates the area’s links with its Indigenous, colonial and military heritage with over 30 pieces of artwork and 100 pieces of interpretive signage, valued at $2.7 million. Chairman of the Jezzine Barracks Community Trust, John Bearne said “Jezzine is unique in Australia in having such rich Indigenous and military cultural values on the one
John and Ros Moriarty from Balarinji who designed the cultural precinct. Image: SMH
site.” The site recognises an important cultural link to the land’s traditional owners, the Bindal and Wulgurukaba peoples, as well as acknowledging the site’s 120 year military history. The area was colonised in the late 1800s and later became the Kissing Point Fort. A
“Fish Trap” – Artist: Carly Kotynski
strong community campaign led the Federal Government to abandon its 2001 plan to sell the waterfront land, instead giving the land to Townsville City Council in 2009 for use as a public precinct “One of Australia’s leading interpretive design consultants, The Jumbana Group, was engaged in extensive consultation with these two important stakeholder groups. This specialist design team tapped into the rich cultural and historical values of Jezzine Barracks and Kissing Point to produce exciting concepts for traditional owner and military interpretive elements across the site,” said Mr Bearne. The Jumbana Group Managing Director, Ros Moriarty said, “Art has a powerful way of cutting through all barriers, whether they be cultural, language, social or educational. The new Jezzine Barracks redevelopment in Townsville illustrates the importance of art in public spaces,
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allowing shared community cultural experience.” “There are many areas, like Jezzine Barracks, that are culturally and historically significant, and these should be given back to the community for public enjoyment and appreciation,” said Ms Moriarty. The Jumbana Group art directed and project managed the creation and installation of artworks and signage in collaboration with construction teams. The firm also developed the thematic content and sourced and worked with Queensland installation artists and local Aboriginal Traditional Owners, elders and artists. The Jumbana Group’s work also extended to the digital world. The firm designed and supplied content about the precinct for Townsville City Council’s website along with a state-of-the-art walking tour mobile app. Ms Moriarty added, “What has resulted at the Jezzine site is a beautiful use of public land the whole community will be able to enjoy.” “Over the past decade there has been a growing appreciation of, and respect for, Aboriginal art. Particularly since then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s apology to the Stolen Generations in 2002, communities have seen the importance and relevance of recognising the traditional owners of the land.” “Australian Aboriginal imagery has always had a communication function over and above the aesthetic. In a world where ritual and function are inextricably intertwined, and language is an oral tradition, the pictorial language of visual signage keeps people connected.” “Public art displays, like at Jezzine Barracks, are a wonderful step in celebrating Australia’s long and rich Indigenous heritage and its place in contemporary Australia. It’s also an important factor in
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“First Contact” – Artist: Jill Chism
bridging community tensions that can result from stereotyping and prejudice,” said Ms Moriarty. The Jumbana Group has extensive national experience in the conceptualisation of major public art and interpretive precincts. The firm’s competency covers design, thematic strategy, artist and supplier management, fabrication and compliant installation. The redevelopment was jointly funded by the Federal and Queensland Governments, and administered by the Jezzine Barracks Community Trust. For more information visit on the Jezzine Barracks precinct, visit, http://jezzinetrust.com.au/
“Crocodile”- Artists: Jordan Wyles and Rurik Henry