New murals bring culture, community to life at Townsville Shopping Centre
The first thing visitors to the newly rebranded Townsville Shopping Centre will notice when entering the food court is a vibrant, culturally rich mural by local artist Nicky Bidju Pryor.
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The first thing visitors to the newly rebranded Townsville Shopping Centre will notice when entering the food court is a vibrant, culturally rich mural by local artist Nicky Bidju Pryor.
He says the striking new artwork is more than just a visual display — it’s a powerful representation of the community’s diverse cultural heritage, blending Torres Strait Islander and Indigenous Aboriginal elements into one harmonious piece.
It features symbolic animals, such as the cockatoo and brolga, representing the totems of the Bindal and Wulgurukaba traditional owners of Townsville, alongside sharks, turtles, and crocodiles, significant to Torres Strait Islanders.
“It’s important for the community to see their culture reflected here,” Mr Pryor said.
But his work doesn’t stop at the food court. Mr Pryor has also helped transform the once-dreary car park across the road into a vibrant space, filled with murals designed to inspire, particularly the children who frequent the basketball hoops.
One mural, in particular, holds deep personal significance for Mr Pryor. It features a hand reaching out to a blue butterfly, a tribute to his daughter Grace.
“That’s my hand lifting the butterfly, symbolising Gracie, so she can fly free. It’s about family and lifting up the next generation,” he explained.
Since taking over the centre in 2023, the Haben Property Group says they have made it a priority to ensure the bustling shopping centre reflects community values and fosters inclusion.
“The artwork has been stopping people and making them talk,” said Haben team member Meagan Draper.
“When we became Townsville Shopping Centre, we decided that if we’re going to do it, we’ll do it right. This centre has been part of the community for so long, and it essentially belongs to all of us. We want to make sure that everybody in our community feels respected here.”
Originally published as New murals bring culture, community to life at Townsville Shopping Centre
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