Art and Interior Design

Have you ever stopped to notice the interior design of Brisbane Airport?

The International Terminal is packed with artisan furniture made from local tuff stone and spotted gum timber. The introduction of this local inspiration follows the Terminal’s $45 million face-lift in 2015.

Inside the Domestic Terminal, the decor also reflects the Queensland lifestyle and environment which can be experience at the Food Collective which features native timbers and bespoke tables and chairs created from sustainably-sourced spotted gum timber - local influences can be found in every corner.

You won’t just find Queensland inspiration on the floors either. The barrel vaulted ceiling in the Domestic Terminal lets natural light in, while cloud-like screens under the skylight help connect the sky to the Terminal itself.

Local artists’ works also adorn the walls and spaces, bringing elements of the River City into the Terminal’s interior design.

What if we told you there is a fully-fledged art trail through the airport precinct? 

Most people aren't aware airports across the world are one of the few commissioners of public artwork. 

Brisbane Airport is no exception with original pieces of art dotted across its public spaces, which celebrate the Queensland and Australian lifestyle and bring elements of the tropics into the Terminal’s interior design. 

You’ll find the artworks across both Terminals and Skygate. 

Take a self-guided tour and tick off these artworks at Skygate:

1. Lightness of Air, a hanging dandelion sculpture by Belinda Smith, outside Transit Tavern.
2. Bronze Women, Images sculpture, by Phillip Piperides, opposite The Coffee Club.
3. Tangerine Trip by Aurora Campbell for the Brisbane Street Art Festival
4. Camp Dogs by Lena Yarinkura, outside the Skygate Centre.
5. Woven Wonders of the Reef, jumbo fishes in a sculptural playscape by Brian Robinson, adjacent to the al fresco café precinct.
6. Multiple Transitions by John Nicholson, outside the Skygate Centre.
7. Synchro by Gemma Smith, Village Parklands adjacent to Novotel.

Take a self-guided tour and discover these artworks at the International Terminal:

1. Flying Shopper Traveller by Stephen Killick, Level 4 Departures.
2. Keep The Sunshine by Sebastian Moody, Customs area, Departures.
3. 'Sensory Hug' 2010 by Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda (Mrs Sally Gabori), Level 3 Arrivals concourse. Learn more about this vibrant installation at Welcome to Brisbane: A Sensory Hug. 
4. Kinetic by Jeffrey Zachmann, Level 3 Arrivals.
5. Untitled Mural by Michael Phillips, Level 3 Departures, northern concourse.
6. Anchorage & Passage by Ben Trupperbaumer, Level 4 Departures.

At the Domestic Terminal, keep your eyes peeled for:

1. Butterflies by Louise Pearson, central (common user) satellite
2. Turbulent Line by Ned Khan, kinetic façade, P1 car park
3. Visualising AI Mural by Emily Devers, Skywalk, underneath the escalator leading up to Airtrain. Learn more about this fascinating piece in the Science Meets Street Art BNE blog article. 

On top of these pieces, Brisbane Airport has an Artist-in-Residence program, which brings acclaimed local and international artists to the walls of Brisbane Airport for annual exhibitions.