Two well-known Quandamooka artists have designed a First Nations mural officially unveiled at Redland City Council’s Cleveland Library last month. Designed by Sandra and Shara Delaney and entitled Quandamookajen Yarabinjara, the mural adorns an external wall fronting the library forecourt off Middle St, reaching 4.6m high and 16.8m long.
The mural is an extension of the artwork the mother-daughter duo designed for another of the library’s walls as part of NAIDOC cultural celebrations in 2017. Sandra said the new artwork depicted many of the same culturally significant elements as the first mural and tied in perfectly with the original theme of “Our Languages Matter.”
“The weaving and seascape across the upper third of the mural represents the woven stories of the three clans of Quandamooka sea country,” she explained. “Below that, the yugari shells represent a link from the present to the past and depict midden sites on the back beaches, where the Quandamooka people gathered to share meals.”
Shara added that the different cultural elements highlighted in the mural hold 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,” she 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 Mayor Jos Mitchell said the new mural complements the many other First Nations artworks on display across the CBD and celebrates the city’s rich First Nations culture. “We are privileged that Sandra and Shara have been willing to share their culture and their artwork with the Redlands Coast community once again,” Cr Mitchell stated. “It is a stunning piece of artwork that tells a story of our area and shares the Jandai language with the community.”
Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell mentioned that the council had no hesitation in commissioning the Quandamookajen Yarabinjara design, with the meaningful artwork 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.
“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.”
