As part of Charter Hall’s redevelopment of Brisbane Square in the heart of the CBD, sustainability was embedded into every aspect of the design—from materials to process. In response, Blaklash, a Brisbane-based Indigenous-led design and curatorial team, developed a curatorial rationale grounded in Aboriginal sovereignty and sustainable cultural practices. The resulting public art commission, Acknowledging Place by artist Carol McGregor, reflects these values while offering a powerful visual and cultural experience within the building’s ground-floor foyer.
Installed in 2022, Acknowledging Place comprises 186 stainless steel cottonwood tree leaves, each measuring between 15 to 30 cm in diameter, suspended from the ceiling along a central spine modelled on the vein structure of a leaf. Each metal form was shaped by hand and heat-treated with flame to give organic variation and a rich surface finish. Accompanying these are 36 large backlit perforated metal panels, each measuring 180 x 150 cm, creating a luminous and immersive environment.
The work draws inspiration from the Cottonwood Tree (Hibiscus tiliaceus), a species once prolific throughout South-East Queensland and culturally significant to its First Nations custodians. Traditionally, the roots of the tree were used for medicine and its bark for fishing nets due to its resistance to rot. Every leaf in McGregor’s installation was modelled from actual specimens and bears marks inspired by those left by the harlequin beetle, a small insect native to the region. The flame-treated finish recalls the beetle’s iridescence, serving as a subtle yet powerful reminder of the everpresence of Country and the interconnectedness of all life.
The title Acknowledging Place encourages viewers to consider the importance of place, both in terms of physical geography and cultural memory. Through native flora and natural materials, McGregor invites a reflection on First Nations knowledge systems, ongoing sovereignty, and our shared responsibility to care for Country. Her practice, informed by her Wathaurung (Kulin Nation) and Scottish heritage, often uses materials such as natural fibres, clay, metal, and paper to explore identity and connection to land.
This significant public artwork was awarded through a competitive tendering process. Urban Art Projects (UAP), an internationally recognised producer of public art across Australia, Dubai, the USA and China, facilitated the project in collaboration with Blaklash.
Acknowledging Place transforms a commercial lobby into a contemplative space, where Indigenous knowledge and environmental awareness converge through form, light, and material. It stands as a meaningful contribution to public art in Brisbane and as a lasting acknowledgment of the cultural and ecological significance of place.
