Luminous 2018

In 2018, I was selected to create the signature entry artwork for the inaugural Luminous Gladstone event held at Tondoon Botanic Gardens, presented by Gladstone Regional Council.

Luminous transforms the gardens into an immersive night-time experience where visitors explore illuminated pathways, creative installations and light-based artworks set within the natural landscape.

As a Gladstone-based artist, I was honoured to contribute to the first event by creating the welcoming artwork that greets visitors as they arrive.

Tawny – The Signature Entry Artwork

The installation, titled Tawny, was designed as the entry artwork for Luminous at Tondoon Botanic Gardens.

Positioned at the entrance to the event, Tawny creates the first visual moment for visitors as they begin their journey through the illuminated gardens. The artwork features a stylised owl perched within foliage, celebrating the wildlife and natural environment of the botanic gardens.

The bold colour palette and graphic design allow the artwork to be striking during the day while transforming dramatically at night under ultraviolet lighting.

Creating the Artwork in the Studio

The artwork was developed and painted in my studio where the full-scale piece was laid out on the floor and carefully hand painted using UV-reactive paints.

Working under ultraviolet lights in the studio, I was able to test how the colours would respond once installed at the event. Under UV light the colours glow intensely, allowing the design to come alive during the evening installations at Luminous Gladstone.

The studio process involved preparing the full-scale drawing, painting each section by hand and testing the glow effects under UV lighting to ensure the artwork would perform strongly within the event environment.

Storage and Protection

Because Tawny was created as an installation artwork, careful consideration was given to how the piece would be transported and stored.

To protect the artwork between events, I custom built a storage box specifically designed to house the piece safely. This allowed the artwork to be securely packed and protected while in storage, helping preserve the painted surface and structural integrity of the work.

Planning for transport and storage is an important part of creating large-scale public artworks and event installations, particularly those used within major community events like Luminous at Tondoon Botanic Gardens.

Supporting the Inaugural Luminous Event

As Luminous was being launched for the first time in 2018, I was keen to support the success of the inaugural event and help ensure the arts were strongly represented within the program.

In addition to creating the signature entry artwork Tawny, I also donated two additional artworks to the event to help build the creative atmosphere within the gardens.

It was a wonderful opportunity to contribute to what has since become one of Gladstone’s most loved community events.

Luminous at Tondoon Botanic Gardens

Presented by Gladstone Regional Council, Luminous at Tondoon Botanic Gardens brings together artists, performers and the community to celebrate creativity within the unique natural setting of the gardens.

Creating the Tawny installation for Luminous Gladstone was a rewarding opportunity to develop a large-scale artwork that welcomes visitors and contributes to the visual experience of the event.