Artists paint picture of solidarity in Victoria Park Olympic debate

By Kate Lockyer

Armed with paintbrushes, pastels, and pencils, artists gathered on the hills and hollows of Victoria Park / Barrambin on January 27 to capture its beauty in protest against the idea of building Olympic stadiums there.

Artist / former Brisbane City Council Labor Deputy Lord Mayor David Hinchliffe said: “Artists are using their paintbrushes and palettes to get their message across.”
“Victoria Park has been sliced to death and a stadium would be an axe in the heart of the park.”

The Artists in the Park event was organised by Mr Hinchliffe and the Save Victoria Park advocacy group and attracted about 30 artists, along with spectators.

Forming a united front, the cause has attracted a coalition of advocates from all political stripes, including former Brisbane City Council LNP Lord Mayor Campbell Newman and current Paddington Ward Greens Councillor Seal Chong Wah.

Mr Newman said: “This park was set aside in 1860 by the early citizens of Brisbane to be the Central Park of Brisbane… we’ve lost over half the park, and it’s time to say no.”
“The IOC, I’m sure, would be deeply concerned about the planned destruction of this park.
“If you don’t want controversy, then you need to head this off at the pass, because this community will stand against this proposal,” he said.

Cr Chong Wah said: “This is precious greenspace – we’re short of it. I’m here to protect our environment from climate change.”
“It’s significant to First Nations people… it’s free public space for everyone and if a stadium comes in it’s going to exclude people.”
Premier David Cristafulli made a pre-election promise of “no new stadiums”, and none of these three advocates want to see him break this promise.
“I think it’s outrageous if Cristafulli breaks his promise,” Cr Chong Wah said.