Warual and Waru Kazi

Brian’s work for the hospital is based on the journeys of turtles and their hatchlings along the Queensland coastline.

Waru Kazi means young turtle. The artworks tell the stories of three Queensland turtle species – Hawksbill, Green and Loggerhead turtles. Etched on a series of concrete discs they’re a focal point of the building’s landscaped entry precinct. They're scattered around the ground in a way that emulates the compelling journeys of the hatchlings on the way to the sea.

The artworks use visual and textural elements, reflecting the natural environment of Queensland’s east coast and Great Barrier Reef. They incorporate the intricate extensions of traditional motifs, animal tracks and land, sea and air patterns prevalent in Torres Strait Islander cultures. Their circular shape also reflects the shape of petri dishes used in medical research and the bird’s eye view seen when looking through a microscope.