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Artwork is making a splash at Gladstone Aquatic Centre
Heads have been turning at Gladstone Aquatic Centre’s 25m indoor pool, but it has nothing to do with people practising their freestyle.
Swimmers have been noticing a recently installed art piece designed by local First Nations artist Jarrod Beezley titled Nalagungngoor, meaning ‘Water hole’ in Kabi Kabi language.
While Jarrod’s artwork is eye-catching, it also tells a story of Gladstone’s history, beginning with the representation of the original ‘baths’ that started at the bottom of Goondoon Street.
The timeline within the artwork acknowledges some of the different community aquatic centre activities that are available to the Gladstone community, including:
- Aquatic fitness activities
- Learn to swim classes
- Outdoor water park
- Heated Pool
- Sunset-closing time, a time when families return to their homes with new memories and stories of Gladstone Aquatic Centre.
Jarrod said his artwork reflects on the Gladstone Region’s rich past while celebrating its bright future.
“I chose to use bright colours to reflect the environment and community feeling of the Gladstone Aquatic Centre, as a familyoriented community place, where people can have fun and enjoy family time together,” Jarrod said.
“I used green as a backdrop so people looking out from the 25-metre heated pool get the sense of feeling that they’re not enclosed but feel like they’re looking onto the grass area outside, giving it an open feeling.”
Jarrod’s artwork was assisted by Council’s Graphic Design team.
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