Nell and Tony Albert

Nell's dynamic artistry spans various disciplines, while Tony Albert's multidisciplinary practice explores colonial legacies and personal histories. Together, they created a space that challenges boundaries and fosters dialogue, using familiar imagery to resonate with visitors. Their latest work, 'The Big Hose', is showcased outside Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA).

The journey of this piece began with the initial curatorial vision. The concept is deeply rooted in the cultural significance of the site. Located on the banks of the Brisbane River (Maiwar) at the Story Place of Kuril, the water rat, this installation serves as a gateway between two worlds: the river and GOMA.

"Our proposal draws upon the strong connection Queensland has to water and our waterways, classic Queenslander architecture, and suburban life in Brisbane, as well as Queensland's popular 'big things' tourist attractions. Overall, our proposed play sculpture poses questions about how we live with nature in suburban and urban environments." —Tony Albert and Nell

The artists' vision transforms the site into the "front lawn" of GOMA, like a Queenslander home. This nostalgic perspective evokes childhood memories of the quintessentially Australian green garden hose, typically seen strewn across suburban yards, an image that resonates deeply with Queensland's domestic landscape.

This installation incorporates recognisable elements such as a garden hose, a butterfly, a hose connector, a nozzle, and a smiley face, evoking nostalgic memories of childhood in suburban Australia. The piece, measuring an impressive 119 metres in length, is constructed from cast aluminium.

The hose features a distinctive boomerang pattern, as the boomerang, an iconic tool of First Nations peoples known for returning to its thrower, perfectly complements the braided hose design that defines the Queensland landscape, featuring a dark green tube with a light green criss-cross pattern.

Adding to the nostalgia, the installation features a Lemon Migrant Butterfly, symbolising the natural beauty of Brisbane. With hand-painted details on its wings, the butterfly embodies the artists’ vision while also enhancing the functional aspects of the artwork. Its smiley face serves as seating, accompanied by 30-kilogram eye pieces that create two-metre seats. The substantial 105-kilogram smile forms a six-metre seating area.

The hand-carved hose connector measures 1 metre in width and 1.6 metres in length, along with the 3.1-metre nozzle. Both are cast in aluminium and finished in the artist's selected palette of playful greens and oranges for the nozzle, and earthy oranges, blues, and browns for the connector.