Public artwork celebrates Scenic Rim’s fauna

Scenic Rim Arts Reference Group Chair Cr Michael Enright inspects the mural fronting William Street with Lesley Turton of Clarke & Turton Lawyers and artist Ash Taylor

Vibrant artworks featuring some of the Scenic Rim's celebrated wildlife are set to transform an alleyway and block wall in Beaudesert’s town centre into colourful public spaces.

Artist Ash Taylor’s concept was chosen by the Scenic Rim Arts Reference Group and Clarke & Turton Lawyers to decorate the front and side of the law firm’s building on William Street following a competitive selection process.

Inspired by the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland’s Yellow-bellied Glider Project, the murals will feature two species threatened with extinction in Australia, the Feathertail Glider and the Greater Glider, along with their preferred food, the pink bloodwood tree.

Scenic Rim Community, Arts and Culture Portfolio Councillor Michael Enright said Ms Taylor was an accomplished artist who understood the need to raise awareness of the conservation of vulnerable species in the region.

“Ash’s artwork was one of three shortlisted entries, including designs from Yannick Blattner and Sarah Sculley, and was chosen from eight submissions received by Scenic Rim Regional Council,” he said.

“These three finalists were considered by the Scenic Rim Arts Reference Group and building owner Clarke & Turton Lawyers and assessed based on several criteria, including connection to the local natural environment, the community and existing regional public artwork.”

In her proposal, Ms Taylor said her concept for the Beaudesert mural would highlight species found in the region that needed to be ‘seen’ and would use photographs provided by the Yellow-bellied Glider Project as real-life references.

“Conservation and bringing awareness to the local environmental concerns are initiatives I am engaged in and have adopted as a primary focus of my work,” she said.

The $10,000 mural project, with a combined length of 20 metres, will be funded from the Scenic Rim Story Marker Project budget and will form part of a planned regional public artwork trail.