Judy Watson
bloodlines weaving string and water by Judy Watson is a 29 meter artwork on the facade of Upper House.
Installed in late 2023, the work is described by Judy, “Lines of light criss-cross the river and the land. Local routes follow Aboriginal walking tracks. They are the bloodlines that pull us to Country and culture. The serpentine Maiwar, holds the scarification of water memories from the many vessels cutting across its skin. The movement of the wind, water and light shimmers and shadows in small flecks. Ancestral canoes and larger craft have traversed these waters. There were lagoons along the edge of this reach, fringed with water lilies and shady trees. The roots of mangroves hold the mud-lined banks together, filtering the saltwater out through their leaves. They host a multitude of marine life within their long fingered embrace. Kurilpa, place of the water rat was a major food-gathering ground for all Dugulumba (Minjungbal)/ Logan River and Qandamooka (Minjerribah / Stradbroke and Mulgumpin/Moreton) island groups when they came together for ceremony and exchange. String for making rope, baskets and cordage would be pulled from the inner bark of trees, rolled along the leg or twisted in fingers and woven together. Looping strands of bush-string float across the pierced red ochre coloured metal, connecting us all to this place.”
Joining the incredible 25 works already in the precinct’s growing collection of public art, we highly suggest taking a stroll and experiencing this artwork at night as it lights up to reflect starlight.
To learn more about this art installation, along with several other works in the laneway, join a free walking tour by Aboriginal Art Co.

