Vandals damage piano installation at Shorncliffe pier

One of 20 colourful pianos installed as part of a citywide music/art installation this month has been vandalised overnight.

Sandgate sisters Florence and Audrey Power had fun playing a piano at Shorncliffe Pier as part of the Play Me, I'm Yours project. Picture: Lachie Millard

ONE of 20 colourful pianos installed as part of a citywide music/art installation this month has been vandalised overnight.

The piano, set up on Shorncliffe Pier as part of the Queensland Music Festival’s Play Me, I’m Yours project, is now unplayable after both internal and external elements were broken.

The piano has been at the pier less than a week; it was placed on July 4.

Damage to the Queensland Music Festival Play Me, I'm Yours piano at Shorncliffe Pier. Picture: Vanessa Gibson

Local resident Vanessa Gibson discovered the damage when her family arrived at the pier early this morning for a daily NAIDOC Week flag raising ceremony.

“We were at the pier last night to lower the flag and we went back this morning and noticed the piano wasn’t playing,” she said.

“We then noticed the lock had been unscrewed and we had a look inside and noticed that it had been completely destroyed.

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“It had been done on purpose; it was definitely not an accident.

“I think it’s very sad for the whole community.

“We’ve been there every day for the flag raising this week and we’ve played the piano a few times, myself and the kids.

“We are all quite upset by it and couldn’t believe it this morning.”

Damage to the Queensland Music Festival Play Me, I'm Yours piano at Shorncliffe Pier. Picture: Vanessa Gibson

Mrs Gibson is event director of Sandgate Parkrun and had hoped to have someone play the piano at this Saturday’s event, which turns around at the end of the pier.

She had found someone willing to play but those plans are now unlikely.

“It really is devastating for everyone,” she said.

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“I know the piano brought a lot of joy to a lot of people. So many people are frustrated and angry.”

The Queensland Music Festival declined to comment at this stage.

The Play Me, I’m Yours project is designed to provoke people into engaging, activating and claiming ownership of their urban landscape through music.