SUMMER HOLIDAY
ICONIC JELLY BABIES PACK THEIR BAGS
THE iconic Centre of Contemporary Arts jelly babies are on the move as they search for a temporary home.
The five sculptures, affectionately known as Gilbert, Oliver, Penelope, Roxanne and Yasmin, have stood proudly along the Abbott St entrance to the arts centre for more than 15 years.
Kickarts Contemporary Arts has had to move out of the building for the 10 month duration of a $3.5 million refurbishment to the building, and so too do the Jelly Babies.
The art organisation has relocated to 93 Lake St at the former School of the Arts building.
Kickarts director Justin Bishop said he was in talks with jelly babies artist Sophie Cadman, Cairns Regional Council and the Queensland Government to determine exactly where the famous sculptures would go.
“I’m trying to see if they can have a temporary home at our new Lake St location,” he said.
“It’s either that or they’ll probably go into safe keeping until we’re back.”
Mr Bishop said moving out of CoCA was “a huge undertaking”.
“We had great assistance from volunteers who helped us pack 12 years of activity up,” he said. “The collection will be moving across to our new location at the end of the month.”
He said it was all worth it to have a transformed arts space.
“I’m looking forward especially to seeing the studio spaces activated across all the arts disciplines,” he said.
“Kickarts will be able to develop an international artistsin-residence program, which will be a great chance for regional artists to make those international connections.”
Cairns visual artist Brian Robinson — known for his Woven Fish at the Lagoon and the Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef sculpture unveiled last year — has joined the consultation team to help guide the transformation of the Far North Queensland arts hub.
He will be joined by Roger Mainwood from TPG Architects and renowned indigenous dancer and artistic director Pauline Lampton.
The former Department of Transport building will feature a laneway cafe, streetfront window displays, landscaped gardens and activated digital facades that can be programmed by artists.
It will also have flexible work and performance spaces, upgraded office facilities, a rooftop terrace and an expanded theatre.
The works are set to begin next month and continue for 10 months for a grand unveiling next year.