Well-known North Queensland contemporary artist Brenda Stone will create a statement artwork for the revamped Townsville Airport terminal, following a successful expression of interest campaign.  

Ms Stone – who has created hundreds of original pieces in Australia and overseas in the past 15 years, including an outdoor installation in Townsville City’s Flinders Lane project – was selected from a pool of more than 20 Australian artists. The work will use free-flowing resin in bright, tropical colours.

Townsville Airport General Manager Brendan Cook said the vibrant entry statement created by Ms Stone would be seen by the airport’s about 1.6 million passengers annually.

“The project scope was reasonably flexible, so the successful artist could tap into their creativity, but we did encourage those who applied to reflect the North Queensland natural and social environment,” he said.

“Brenda’s work will celebrate our tropical landscape and climate, which the North Queensland region is so well known for.”  

Ms Stone said her vision was to create an aerial-like abstract painted with resin, which would represent Townsville’s vast and iconic environment.

“Our location is a paradise for all who travel here, from tropical Magnetic Island to our iconic pink volcanic rock,” she said.

“This mural will act as a way-finder, leading visitors through our region’s gems.”

The work will be displayed on a terminal corridor wall, between the refurbished check-in and baggage reclaim areas.

It will be installed next month and will cover two large spaces, with one panel measuring 76sq m and the second measuring 77sq m.

An established art selection panel, comprising representatives from Townsville Airport, Townsville City Council and Townsville City Galleries, assessed all expressions of interest.

The art project comes as plans for an exciting Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) installation in Townsville Airport terminal progress. Arriving passengers will get a taste of this unique attraction soon after landing in North Queensland when it is in place in coming weeks.

Townsville Airport terminal upgrades are continuing, including refurbishment of the airside café and news and gifts store, and are scheduled to be complete next month.

The new-look Townsville Airport is unfolding as flight and passenger numbers continue to grow – with 131,766 people welcomed and farewelled in April – the highest monthly number in more than two years.