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Over the past six years Council has made formal commitments with our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and we are committed to keep the momentum moving. As we embark on our next RAP, a key part of delivering this Plan is working together with local First Nations people. Local First Nations artist Jarrod Beezley was successful in working with Council to deliver a bespoke piece of public art within the 25 metre pool at Gladstone Aquatic Centre.
Nala-gungngoor
(Water hole in Kabi language)
Jarrod Beezley, 2022
This art piece is a depiction for the Gladstone Aquatic Centre.
The story begins with a representation of the original ‘Baths’ that started at the bottom of Goondoon Street, including the picturesque Lady Nelson Park and Gladstone Harbour Board fountain on the corner of Lord and Goondoon Streets. This was previously the site of the Gladstone Municipal baths, built in 1936 and was saltwater baths then eventually turned to freshwater baths. From there many other ‘Baths’ were constructed around Gladstone Region, Toolooa Street baths in 1864, and the Auckland baths near Friends Victoria Store in 1870s.
Today the Gladstone town pool, built in 1936, has become what it is today; `The Gladstone Aquatic Centre’.
The timeline within the artwork acknowledges some of the different community aquatic centre activities that are available to the Gladstone community:
- 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.
I chose to use bright colours to reflect the environment and community feeling of the Gladstone Aquatic Centre, as a family-oriented community place, where people can have fun and enjoy family time together.
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.
This artwork reflects on the Gladstone Region’s rich past while celebrating its bright future.
Jarrod Beezley is a descendant of the Kabi Kabi and Bundajalung people from the South East Coast of Queensland. He is also Koori descendant (Beezley) but it is unknown from where. They are fresh/saltwater people. Jarrod was born in Gladstone, Queensland, on Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng and Taribelang Bunda Country known as Port Curtis Coral Coast (PCCC).
Jarrod started painting in his early 20’s, inspired by his father. His father was a big influence in his life and encouraged him to learn more about Aboriginal Art. Since then, Jarrod has researched the many forms and styles of Aboriginal arts, and more, his people’s art forms and styles.
Over the years, Jarrod’s art and style has evolved and matured into what it is today. He has developed a strong saltwater theme and style which reflects the spiritual connection to the coastal region of South East hinterlands and coastal regions of Tweed Heads.
As an artist, Jarrod has gained wisdom, knowledge and understanding of who he is as an Aboriginal artist and as an Aboriginal Man (Kabi Kabi/Bundjulang). This has helped him to define who he is as an artist, a storyteller and as a man of faith, connecting him spiritually to Biral (God) and the land from which we come.
Further examples of his work visit www.facebook.com/amarrookennaart
