A colourful mural featuring a rock-climbing kangaroo at Kangaroo Point has taken out the top prize in Brisbane’s long-running Artforce Awards, which recognise the city’s best street art painted on traffic signal and electrical boxes.
The 2024 winners were announced this week, with Brisbane architect Lucia Laus named Overall Winner for her piece Climbing Kangaroo, located at the River Terrace pedestrian crossing near Paton Street. Painted in February 2024, the artwork captures a kangaroo scaling the Kangaroo Point cliffs with the city skyline glowing in the background.
Celebrating Local Life and Culture
Lucia said the inspiration behind the piece was the popular outdoor lifestyle in Kangaroo Point, especially the community of climbers often seen at the cliffs. Her creation, featuring a character named Roo the Kangaroo, reflects the active spirit of the area and the many ways people enjoy the spot—whether it’s climbing, walking, cycling, or gathering with friends and family.
She worked with fellow artist Luz Jennifer Garcia Rodriguez to complete the mural, hoping it would encourage more people to explore the area and take part in local activities. According to the artist, Roo was designed to bring a sense of fun and positivity to the streetscape.
Street Art that Connects with the Community
Now in its 26th year, Artforce Brisbane is a community art program that turns everyday street infrastructure into public art. This year, the competition saw 84 entries across multiple categories, with participants ranging from school students to community organisations and emerging artists.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner praised the winning works, saying the program helped improve the city’s appearance while encouraging community involvement. He said the designs also gave people a chance to tell the story of their neighbourhoods and connect with the culture of different suburbs.
For the first time, the awards included vinyl-wrapped boxes for locations too close to roads to paint safely.
Winners Across the City
Among this year’s major winners, Ibis-zilla by Maddie Field won the Lord Mayor’s Award for its bold depiction of Brisbane’s well-known bird. The artwork is displayed at the corner of Ann and Wharf streets in Brisbane City and features an ibis surrounded by vibrant, swirling colours.
The People’s Choice Award went to Wendy Cumes for her piece New Leaves. Reading the Land, painted at Newmarket State School. The design highlights native flora and the history of the school community.
Other award recipients included:
- Belly of Brisbane River by Thomas Hill and Cameron Hill – Best 12 and Under
- Flowers by Grace Tupicoff and Jemima Gibbons – Best 18 and Under
- Smokey Daze by Ava Hobart and The Gap State High School – Best High School
- Zenith Rock by Multicap Centre of Creative Arts, Eight Mile Plains – Best Organisation
- Look Up by Princess Enriquez – Best Digital Artwork & Vinyl Wrap
- Cockatoos & Native Flora by Tanith Fleming – Best Energex Box
Keeping Creativity Alive on the Streets
All entries were judged not only on creativity and skill, but also how well they captured the identity of the local area. Artforce Brisbane continues to be a way for people of all backgrounds and artistic experience to contribute to the city’s character.
Lucia’s winning artwork at Kangaroo Point now joins a long list of murals across Brisbane that bring colour and creativity to the everyday.
Published 28-March-2025