Titled ‘Pathways', the mural is a collaborative piece by seven QCAD LiveArt students and a welcome return of public art to the area. In 1979, a mural was commissioned for the undercroft titled 'Crossing to Capricorn' by one of Australia’s most prominent abstract artists, Alun Leach-Jones.

Years later, the wall had to be removed to create a thoroughfare and cater for a growing campus. However, 'Crossing to Capricorn' moved to a new home and can now be viewed on Level 1, building N13.

While visiting the site, the students individually converged on the idea of the undercroft area as transitory, active space. As the artwork surrounds pedestrians moving through the undercroft, guiding hands reach down from the ceiling amongst bursts of bright colour, making the area feel larger, lighter and more welcoming.

Each student contributed elements to the design, such as Sophie McIntyre's central twisting hands motif, while Rubie Cichon designed the pink abstractions of natural elements. Kathryn Neilsen created the large, orange frond design featured at the undercroft entrance from the Arrivals Plaza among other stylised botanical motifs.

‘Pathways’ was installed by the class under the guidance of QCAD lecturer Simon Degroot in QCAD LiveArt elective subject Public Art 2, October 2021.

Thank you to our student artists: Rubie Cichon, Jessica Combes, Anil Dreaming, Isabella Godier, Sophie McIntyre, Kathryn Neilsen, Daniella Louvel.