South Bank Cultural Forecourt
Find out all you need to know about Brisbane Festival at our pop up in South Bank Cultural Forecourt.
Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University
‘Mateys’ are a simplified embodiment of Craig & Karl’s practice. They are basic geometric forms with expressive features, all executed in bright colours and bold patterns. But manipulating the fundamental forms in simple ways they are able to completely change the Matey’s mood, for example from happy to sad, or from sulking to coy.These small techniques allow Craig & Karl to set the mood of a public space, and in this context, the Mateys serve as companions that help foster community and shared experiences, welcoming us into different corners of the city.“Tommy” and "TJ & Isaac" (2025), Craig & Karl. Inflatable sculptures
Griffith University Arts Museum
Mapping three decades of creativity, colour, and collaboration.Craig & Karl: Double Vision is a dynamic, playful exploration of one of Queensland's most internationally successful creative exports, the collaborative duo Craig & Karl.Employing Craig & Karl’s signature visual language, defined by bold colour, graphic precision, and infectious joy, the exhibition explores the artists’ three-decade-long creative partnership, their influence on global public art and design trends, and the enduring impact of Griffith University’s Queensland College of Art & Design, where the artists first met almost 30 years ago.Timed to coincide with Griffith University’s 50th anniversary, Double Vision’s reach will be expanded via public art outcomes across the University’s five campuses in South East Queensland, as well as major public art interventions with project partners Brisbane City Council, Brisbane Festival, and Fish Lane Arts Precinct, to create a truly citywide celebration of Queensland’s creative arts sector.
Goodwill Bridge
‘Shifting Signals’ is a series of singular artworks that come together to form a greater whole, a metaphor for society itself. Each flag contains a set of symbols or patterns that evoke a particular mood, the next flag contains a new version of that artwork that has shifted up or down from the previous one, the idea being that the artwork feels like it’s undulating as the visitor moves across the Goodwill Bridge.The artwork on the individual flags repeat at a certain point across the bridge so visually they appear as “waves”–a reference to the Brisbane River below that is the lifeline of the city.“Shifting Signals” (2025), Craig & Karl. Banners
Kangaroo Point Bridge
'Walk This Way' is a series of large-scale inflatable arches that transform the Kangaroo Point Bridge into an immersive experience. The installation transitions through a vibrant spectrum of colourful arches, creating a sense of shifting perspective as you move from one side of the bridge to the other. When creating public artworks, we aim for the experience to feel localised. In this piece, we achieve that by working with the existing architecture, allowing the artwork and infrastructure to feel unified. With 'Walk This Way', the archways playfully engage with the bridge itself, wrapping it in a warm embrace. The tunnel effect created by the arches also provides a space for visitors to immerse themselves—hopefully fostering a fun atmosphere to engage with the city“Walk this Way” (2025). Craig & Karl. Inflatable sculptures.
OH OK!
Craig & Karl often recreate common phrases and sayings in their unique and humorous style to highlight how some gestures can transcend several cultural and linguistic communication barriers.'OH OK!' (2014), Craig & Karl, Irish Lane, Brisbane City.Image by Carl Warner.
LED Staircase
Craig & Karl, in collaboration with David McLeod, have created a mesmerising animation of abstract shapes that embody the vibrant and lively spirit of Brisbane Festival. While developing the shapes, graphics and motion, the artists considered Brisbane’s distinctive features: the river, sunshine, local environment and community, technology, and industry. The variety of shapes also reflects the wide range of Brisbane Festival offerings, including performance, dance, music, art, family events, fireworks, and so much more.Graphics by Craig & Karl, 3D Design and Motion by David McLeodAbout the artistsCraig & KarlInternational art and design duo Craig Redman and Karl Maier came of age in 1980s Australia, immersed in a world of bold, bright, and unapologetically lurid colour. It was an era that sparked a lifelong fascination with colour, which continues to define their work today.Now based in New York and London, Craig & Karl have exhibited globally, known for their vibrant, multidisciplinary works — from a striking New York Magazine cover featuring Barack Obama to a sculpture honouring film director Michelangelo Antonioni. Their unmistakable aesthetic has attracted collaborations with leading global brands including Nike, Apple, Google, Vogue, and LVMH.David McLeodDavid McLeod is an Australian digital artist and designer known for his hypnotic motion and organic, otherworldly forms. He explores the creative possibilities of procedural software and emerging technologies through an experimental approach to image-making. Often walking the line between the alien and the strangely familiar, David’s art invites both curiosity and contemplation. His distinctive visual language has influenced a generation of visual design, leading to collaborations with some of the world's leading brands.
Neville Bonner Bridge
‘Converge’ is a public structure that encourages people to come together and meet. The intersecting paths that lead visitors into the space are a larger metaphor and allow visitors to experience something new in a united way.Once inside ‘Converge’ visitors see it’s been created with Craig & Karl’s ‘Matey’s’ figures. ‘Mateys’ are a simplified embodiment of Craig & Karl’s practice. They are basic geometric forms with expressive features, all executed in bright colors and bold patterns.In ‘Converge’ the Matey’s leap off the ground and meet in the center of the structure, creating a cosy dome around the visitor. When the visitor looks up they see the various Matey’s faces and a peek of the Brisbane sky above, setting the mood of the public space. The Mateys serve as companions that help foster community and shared experiences, welcoming us into different corners of the city.“Converge” (2025), Craig & Karl. Inflatable sculpture, banners and graphics
