Artist Paul Perry’s beautiful mosaics are set to sparkle along the coast after Bundaberg Regional Council approved the first submissions made under the Public Art Masterplan.
The award-winning artist will install two new artworks, one at Bill Fritz Park, Bargara and another as part of an art trail in Bargara Headlands Estate, Innes Park.
Mural for Bill Fritz Park
Bill Fritz Park in Bargara commemorates long-time Bargara Lions Club member Bill Fritz and is nominated as a park for the disabled.
The park was established by the Lions Club in 1970s, and the artwork Paul has designed for the park celebrates this legacy.
“The Lions Club approached me about five years ago about doing something on that toilet block, something that beautifies the area, but also acknowledges that role and I was thrilled to have that as a story to tell in the artwork,” Paul said.
The design includes the Lions Club International symbol in the left-hand sky, and the wheelchair symbol set in amongst sunflowers on the right-hand side.
“I initially wanted it to be a Bargara based idea and when we talked to the Lions club and the Bargara Progress Association, both of them just loved that idea of connecting it to the farm on Bargara Road,” he said.
“Then as part of the consultation process that I went through, I got some feedback from a number of people who were saying you may not know this, but sunflowers are actually emerging as a strong symbol of hidden disabilities.
“This is absolutely perfectly apt to connect those two together, and so that’s part of the storytelling that I’m doing with the people involved.”
Art trail through estate
In Bargara Headlands Estate at Innes Park the developer has engaged Paul and other artists to create an art trail in the estate.
The trail will include mosaics and sculptural installations along the Turtle Trail path, Whale Rock and in the Taribelang Bunda Yarning Circle.
Paul’s proposal adds further artworks within the wetlands area which will extend the art trail into the centre of the neighbourhood.
“One of the indicators of the health of the wetland system is dragonflies and frogs,” he said.
“So, the new artwork that we’re putting, that’s been endorsed by the Council, on these rocks around the walkway of the of the wetlands are going to be themed around dragonflies and frogs.
“The first one, that I’ve just finished gluing on, is a kid friendly example of types of frogs and dragonflies that we’ve picked up, obviously Kermie’s in there somewhere just singing away.
“There’s a lot of other animals in there that feature around a pond and it’s just really a bit of a fun piece.
“It has the word Oorri’ah which is Welcome in Taribelang Bunda.”
Paul plans to install other mosaics on basalt boulders that edge the central walkway.
Public Art Masterplan
Paul said the adoption of the Public Art Masterplan had been a long process and he hoped its introduction would streamline the public art approval process.
“The new Council has been fantastic, I’ve had really good support,” Paul said.
“Public art has a whole lot of other factors that need to be taken into consideration when you’re planning, designing, thinking about the process.
“It’s really about making sure you’ve established your network and that you’ve communicated with lots of people, that you ensure that you’ve got the support of the community behind you.
“I’m just pleased now that we can get on with doing this.”
Council’s Arts, Heritage and Asset Management portfolio spokesperson Councillor John Learmonth said he was happy to see artworks approved under the plan, which was adopted in 2023.
“The Public Art Masterplan was put in place to encourage and support the development of local artists,” Cr Learmonth said.
“With the approval of the first project under the plan, we continue to foster the region’s thriving arts and cultural sector through a strategic framework.
“Paul’s artworks will be a wonderful addition to the Public Art Collection and bring pleasure to residents and visitors for many years to come.”
Find out more about the Public Art Masterplan here.
