Public Art: A Catalyst for Community Engagement

Abstract

This exegesis revolves around my research question: Is community participation an appropriate approach to creating public art in regional Queensland? It is informed by my experience of directing public art in regional Queensland over the last two decades. My investigation, which employs a reflective methodology, will attempt to address and answer why and how the process of community consultation and participation is essential to the relevance and longevity of public art projects. In doing so, I will engage with a number of case studies to position, problematise, and resolve issues and concerns that surround certain public art projects developed for and located in regional Queensland communities. My research also explores and extols a culture of place, and methodology that is informed by the oral history practices of interview and documentation. I consider the differences between ephemeral and permanent works, and acknowledge the significance of rituals, anniversary performance, and events. On completion of my analysis, I will formulate an effective reference chart and propose a redirective process that can be used by artists and community alike to further engage with locals in relation to negotiating public art and community. This will be done with the belief that communities, through their experience of place, can offer knowledge and inspire the artist. The artist in this way can work more positively to produce a public statement reflecting and informing the culture of place, past, present and future.