iBiz takes crown in ‘Everything Brisbane’ Woolloongabba art display

Bin chickens, bush turkeys and the Myer Centre’s iconic “Brisbane crocodile” all featured in a quirky art exhibition celebrating the River City. See the winners!

Brisbane residents on social discussion website Reddit (r/Brisbane) were challenged in December to create art depicting ‘Everything Brisbane’ for display at Woolloongabba Art Gallery.

Driftwood with googly eyes titled ‘Crocodylus brisus’, an ibis-themed ‘fakemon’ Pokémon design and a felt bush turkey were just some of the creations made by some of Brisbane’s newest budding artists.

'Same trash, different day': this slightly terrifying art was generated via AI. Picture: u/ihavenosubstance

On Friday night over 50 pieces of art were on display during the gallery opening night, which included an auction and a ‘Reddit Choice Award: People’s Choice’ for the art most representative of the ‘Everything Brisbane’ theme.

'Tony and Stan' by u/Rogersterlingsfling. Picture: Paige Bradford

Community moderator David Stevenson said over 200 people attended.

“It was an amazing night. It was just phenomenal to celebrate random internet individuals creativity,” he said

“I think people are creative without knowing it online.

'Furbis scavenging', a fake Pokemon designed by u/Crazychooklady. Picture: u/Crazychooklady

“The reactions on the night ranged from thankful to blown away to ecstatic.

“I heard one of the contributors say it was so nice to hear people talk about their art.

“Having the opportunity to put it on a wall and have other people appreciate it was absolutely amazing.”

'Bush Turkey' by u/LamingtonPark. Picture: Paige Bradford

Brisbane ink and watercolour artist Pete Lambie contributed three pieces of art to be auctioned off, with funds going directly to Brisbane Zero, a charity dedicated to solving homelessness.

“The first auction item went way past $800,” Mr Stevenson said.

Art donated by Brisbane artist Pete Lambie for the auction. Picture: Pete Lambie

“We raised about $2100 in total which will go straight to Brisbane Zero.

“We also sold pins with the community logo for a gold coin donation which has so far made around $300.”

'The Brisbane crocodile (Crocodylus brisus)' by u/Chap82 and 'Nostalgia' by u/Draken-Korin Picture: Paige Bradford

The winner of the Reddit Choice Award: People’s Choice was a crochet ibis figure in a business suit designed by u/femlocks.

The winning piece of art, iBiz, by u/femlocks, as voted for the community. The image features a crochet figure of an ibis/human hybrid wearing a suit. Picture: Paige Bradford

“I love the interplay of the hustle and bustle of office workers in Brisbane CBD and the carefree, comical antics that our native birds meanwhile get up to,” u/femlocks said.

“Ibises have become a much more appreciated local icon in recent years with people embracing our “bin chickens”, and I like to imagine this humanoid ibis similarly has a corporate job in waste management.

“The humour in this artwork also invites consideration of the borders between humankind and the natural world, which is especially relevant living in such a biodiverse city.”

Reddit’s Community Funds program provided financial support for the project as a whole and the opening night.

You can see Everything Brisbane at Woolloongabba Art Gallery until February 11.