The ARTFORCE BRISBANE project was launched by the City of Brisbane in 1999 and is now one of the most successful public art programs in Australia. From the outset, the initiative aimed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of unassuming and often overlooked infrastructure elements, such as electrical and traffic signal boxes, while also preventing vandalism. Experience shows that artistically designed surfaces are significantly less likely to be vandalized, an effect that has contributed significantly to the project’s long-term success.
Since its launch over 1.200 boxes throughout the city have been painted, with more than 5.000 people participating in their design. As a result this project has become one of the largest participatory art initiatives of its kind. A central component of the program is the active involvement of the public, like citizens, school classes, and local artists can submit their own designs, which are approved by the city after review and then implemented. Around 80 objects are available each year. The project is complemented by regular competitions and awards that highlight particularly successful works and generate additional attention.
The designs on the boxes often reflect the city’s local identity and sense of humor. Particularly striking is the recurring depiction of the Australian ibis, a bird ubiquitous in Brisbane that is colloquially and tongue-in-cheek referred to as “bin chicken”. Such motifs draw on everyday observations and combine them with artistic expression; well-known examples range from humorous depictions to pop culture-inspired figures like an “Ibis-zilla”. Today ARTFORCE BRISBANE forms a decentralized, freely accessible gallery in public space.
In 2017 the creative organization BIG FISH launched the URBAN SMART PROJECTS, where they painted electrical boxes across Australia, part of the initiative took place in Brisbane. A total of 200 additional traffic signal boxes were made available throughout the city, and they snapped up in no time. The following photos were taken by traveller and streetart lover MAZZANTI. Check out as well the individual page for the BRISBANE STREET ART FESTIVAL and the page for other urban artworks around town.
„Brisbane Connection“ – Adelaide Street & Albert Street – August 2024 – DEBRA HOOD
Artist: DEBRA HOOD – RED HILDA HOOD – DEBRA HILDA HOOD
Website: https://www.debrahoodart.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debrahoodart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redhildahood
Pinterest: https://au.pinterest.com/dehrahood
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/redhildahood
Support Artists: PIPER HITHERSAY & ANGELIQUE HOWE
Box ID: B0009 & MUX C9921
„Possum Parkour“ – Ann Street & Albert Street – October 2022 – ROSA HUGHES
Artist: ROSA HUGHES
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/rosahughes
Support Artist: RENÉ MONTEIRO
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/renemonteiro
Box ID: B0003
ADEL & LIZZ ROBB – YELLOWHOUSE
BRIAN & LIZZ ROBB – YELLOWHOUSE
Artist: LIZZ ROBB – YELLOWHOUSE
Website: https://www.lizzrobb.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielalayellow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizz.robb
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/lizzrobb
Artists: ADEL & BRIAN & LIZZ – YELLOWHOUSE
Website: https://yellowhouse.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Yellowhouse.net
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yellowhouseprince2
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/yellowhouse
Roma Street Parkland – BYO BAG
Artists & Bio Bags: BYO BAG
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byobag
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byo_bag
“Creative Royal Flush” – Urban Smart Projects – 2017 – Treasury Casino – CORK & CHROMA
Artists: CORK & CHROMA
Website: https://www.corkandchroma.com.au
Project Page: https://www.corkandchroma.com.au/traffic-box-art-initiative
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corkandchroma
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corkandchroma
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@corkandchroma
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@paint-and-sip
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/corkandchroma
Australibis – Moluccan Ibis – Australian White Ibis – Threskiornis Molucca
„The Spirit of Festival Hall“
„Electric Singer“
„The Witch and the Owl“
„Faces & Blossoms“
INFOTHEK
Urban Art Project: ARTFORCE BRISBANE
Website: https://artforcebrisbane.com.au
Artist Registration: https://artforcebrisbane.com.au/register
Available Boxes: https://artforcebrisbane.com.au/available-boxes
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@artforcebrisbane
Urban Art Project: URBAN SMART PROJECTS
Project Page: https://bigfish.design/work/project/urban-smart-projects
Creative Agency: BIG FISH
Website: https://bigfish.design
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bigfishtv
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designbigfish
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/bigfish-tv
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bigfish.design
Photographer: MAZZANTI STREET ART
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mazzanti.street.art
Profile Page: https://vagabundler.com/culturists/mazzanti
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