Indigenous Art Under the Story Bridge

Most mornings when I walk into work I park in a suburb of Brisbane known as New Farm. This walk involves going under the Story Bridge at its northern end, almost directly under the roadway and high on the cliff side. Rather than dull grey or off white on the walls, aboriginal style artwork has been painted over a simulated brickwork on much of the area directly under the bridge.

I have been unable to determine who or why did this work. I can only assume it may have been part of an community artwork scheme, but then again it may have been a fully commissioned work. It is quite extensive, with a large area which has been sealed off fully painted. Animals represented include snakes, turtles, lizards and fish in vivid colours. There doesn't appear to be any indication of the artist or artists at the actual site.

My take on this is that the Brisbane River is said to have flown for over 400 million years. Indigenous Australians have been here for at least 40,000 years, and were settled in the Brisbane region long before European Settlers left their marks. The artwork represented here appears to be an obvious recognition of the river, its makeup, and of the animals that originally inhabited the area. If you are exploring the city and walk over the Story Bridge, don't forget to have a sneak peak under it at another of Brisbane's hidden delights.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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