Pimelea decora, 2024.
Queensland College of Art & Design students have recently worked with Flinders Shire Council to create a new mural as part of the Festival of Outback Skies. Palette of Skies: Artistic Fusion is a new initiative contributing to the outback festival which celebrates the culture and lifestyle of regional communities like Hughenden.
The festival provides an ideal platform for creative expression where students can showcase their artistic talents and draw inspiration from the unique landscapes and experiences that the Outback offers. This artwork highlights the beauty of the Outback with elements and colours of the landscape to celebrate wide-open spaces.
Pimelea decora Flinders Poppy is a species endemic to North Queensland in the area between Hughenden, Winton and Julia Creek. It is a woody perennial herb with densely hairy, red and cream-coloured flowers which bloom throughout the year.
These wildflowers capture the essence of the outback and are a unique feature in the Hughenden region. This plant is beautiful and tenacious and thrives in difficult conditions.
The flowers reflect the colours of the outback, reds and yellows catch the rays of the rising sun and the dusty green foliage bends and grows toward the sky. These colours and forms from the landscape are an inspiration for the festival theme ‘Endless Horizons’. This small flower is transformed into a design element and painted large to emphasise the beauty and vibrancy of Hughenden.
“This trip taught me so much, from finding inspiration in the community and environment around me to learning how to paint with a square brush on a difficult surface. Combining my skills as both artist and designer through large-scale artworks is something I will definitely pursue in the future.”
April WyethBachelor of Design