Michael Phillips

Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) invited students of Griffith University: Queensland College of Art to submit concepts for a new artwork commission as part of the expansion of Brisbane Airport’s International Terminal. 

The competition was established to support and showcase local talent and is
believed to be the most lucrative student art prize ever offered in Australia. Five finalists were considered for the prize with the runners-up each receiving $5000 and the winner $20 000. UAP has a strong history of successful public art collaborations with BAC
and were engaged to assist with artist selection, design development, fabrication
and installation of this project.

Master of Visual Art student Michael Phillips was chosen by an expert panel as the winning artist. Referencing airports as vibrant cultural meeting places his concept uses wood block prints that were blown up and digitally printed onto vinyl panels. 

The monumental work spans 90 meters floor to ceiling, creating its own visual language that echoes human forms and movement. Throughout the project stages, UAP collaborated with both the client and the artist to translate the winning concept into a bold full-scale installation that thousands of travellers will experience daily.