A Queensland Rail Tilt Train has been transformed by 301 metres of Queensland Indigenous artwork into Australia's longest moving canvas.

Arts Minister Rachel Nolan last week unveiled the Tilt Train, which is the first of two trains to be decorated with Indigenous artwork.

"This striking piece of mobile artwork is set to become one of our state's most recognisable tourism attractions," Ms Nolan said.

Image: Brisbane Times

"Each side of the Tilt Train's seven carriages now features artwork by Aboriginal artist Judy Watson and Torres Strait Islander Alick Tipoti, who both have well-established international careers with works held by public galleries and in private collections across Australia, Europe and the United States.

"The two artists, Judy and Alick, are also taking part in this first journey north so passengers will have the special experience of being able to ask the artists about their work while travelling.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Indigenous artwork would enhance the iconic nature of the journey along Queensland's coast.

"Our Tilt Trains are already a recognisable feature of the tourism industry in our state but this artwork will make them even more unique and representative of Queensland," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"It is fitting that this first train features artwork representing Queensland's two Indigenous cultures, and passengers on this maiden voyage from Brisbane to Cairns and back again are making history.

"People along the east coast of Queensland who glimpse this train are in for a real treat - the quality of the artwork, its contrast to the landscape, as well as the novelty of the moving canvas is breathtaking."

Minister Nolan said Judy's artwork on one side of the Tilt Train was drawn from a suite of boldly-coloured prints that explore the fragile nature of Queensland's scenic coastline with recurring themes of shells, middens, fossils and termite mounds.

"Judy is a descendent of the Waanyi people of north-west Queensland and she is best known for her work exploring Aboriginal heritage and hidden history and, more recently, the environmental impact of climate change and human influences on the ecology," Ms Nolan said.

"Alick's work on the other side of the train is a great contrast to Judy's, featuring striking black and white patterns representing the historic stories of Torres Strait heroes and warriors.

"Alick is strongly connected to the stories of his home of Badu Island and his work reflects the proud history of the Torres Strait Islander people and includes imagery of the spirits of his ancestors, the Zugubal, with their traditional headdresses, masks, drums and weapons.

"It's also fitting that the train travels to Cairns, with both Judy and Alick sharing a connection with the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair which is happening again this year from 19-21 August. I can't think of a better way to get to this event than by catching this Tilt Train."

Minister Nolan also announced that the artists for the second Indigenous art Tilt Train had been selected. They are: Josiah Omeenyo from Lockhart River and a collective of 25 artists from Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre in Cardwell.

Work on the second Indigenous art Tilt Train is expected to begin later this month.

The State Government has invested $750,000 in the Indigenous art Tilt Trains through art+place Queensland Public Art Fund. The project has been jointly delivered by Arts Queensland and Queensland Rail.

For more information visit www.artplace.qld.gov.au and www.qr.com.au

Architecture & Design Team

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