Our Art

A blue body of water represents the connection of cultures and time, carrying memories of the past and sustaining life. Alongside the water course sit historic and scientific tools, botanicals native to the surrounding land, and contemporary scientific data. Sit and listen to the tranquil sounds of water and touch the stone forms at the base of the mural to leave behind your own trace on our history of land and time.

The large photograph of an Aboriginal man with scarification on his back was most likely taken by Joseph Bancroft, the doctor and scientist who established medical research in Queensland in the 1860s. Scarring like this can indicate status and wisdom. Responsible for the disease lymphatic filariasis, this thread-like worm was discovered by Dr Joseph Bancroft and named after him. Wucheria Bancrofti is spread among humans by mosquitoes. Pineapple clubs were used by Indigenous people between north Queensland and Brisbane for hunting, fighting and in ceremonies. They were carved from hardwood. This scatterplot charts the characteristics of genomic loci, a particular point in the human genome localised to a particular location on a chromosome in twins, with long term depression when compared to their healthy counterparts.

This image of a Bungwall stone was taken by Dr Joseph Bancroft. These stones were used by people to grind down the Bungwall fern and other native root vegetables for food and medicine. The Bungwall fern grew plentifully in the swamps of present-day Herston. Its root was soaked, roasted, and ground on stones to make flour which was turned into a cake. Scientific glassware and instruments were used by researchers in their work. Sphygmograph tracings were made by Dr Thomas Bancroft of his pulse.