The Big Hose in GOMA's front yard joins Australia's landmark big things

Mon 22 Sep 2025

In a first for the Queensland Cultural Centre, an artist-designed play sculpture in the form of an oversized 119 metre-long garden hose has been unveiled outside Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). The artwork alludes to Queensland’s domestic architecture, inhabiting GOMA’s 'front yard' and evoking breezy verandahs and subtropical gardens.

The Big Hose 2022–25, a collaborative creation of contemporary Australian artists Tony Albert (Brisbane, Girramay/ Yidinyji/ Kuku Yalanji peoples) and Nell (Sydney), sits on the banks of the Brisbane River at Kurilpa Point, a traditional meeting and trading place for the region’s Turrbal and Yaggera peoples.

Building on decades of experience collaborating with artists on projects for its Children’s Art Centre, the Gallery has worked closely with Tony and Nell to develop this unique addition to the precinct, and the artists in turn consulted with traditional custodians of the site on which the sculpture sits. The artwork’s acknowledgment of the Indigenous history of Kurilpa is key, as is its commitment to children’s learning.

Capturing the spirit of Queensland’s welcoming climate and laidback attitude, the playful large-scale installation will spark imaginations and delight visitors of all ages as the latest in the Australian tradition of landmark ‘big’ things.

Tony Albert said about The Big Hose:

The sculpture’s home on the edge of the Brisbane River (Maiwar) was also the Story Place of Kuril, the native water rat. The country the artwork sits on, the land between the Brisbane River and GOMA, represents a gateway between these two worlds. Many children will not have heard of Kuril, and one of the central ideas about the work is creating greater awareness of the thousands of years of Indigenous history of this site, Kurilpa. The journey of the work begins with Kuril’s ‘hose hideout’, where audiences will discover Kuril nestled in the end of the hose attachment – an urban substitute for his native burrow.

Nell also mentioned the strong environmental messages in the work:

Visitors may notice there is no tap attached to the hose, rather, the illusion of water is conveyed by the form of the hose, prompting the young viewer to ask where the water comes from. In essence, The Big Hose marries themes of nature with the urban and built environment in a uniquely Australian way. The Big Hose is also full of joy – fun to look at, fun to play on and from there fun-learning can begin.

The Big Hose 2022–25 joins five other fascinating artworks by leading Australian and international artists surrounding GOMA: Scott Redford The High/ Perpetual Xmas, No Abstractions 2008; Lee Mingwei The Bodhi Tree Project 2006; Judy Watson tow row 2016; Michael Parekowhai The World Turns 2011-12; and Martin Boyce We are shipwrecked and landlocked 2008-10. Extend your visit and explore the precinct at your leisure at any time and go on a sculpture walk at QAG or GOMA with us.

The Big Hose 2022–25 was made possible by private giving through the QAGOMA Foundation, including generous support from Andrew and Dr Susan King, the Neilson Foundation, Margaret Mittelheuser AM and Cathryn Mittelheuser AM, Gina Fairfax AC, Dr Shirley Hsieh and contributions to the 2022 QAGOMA Foundation Appeal.

Fabricated by UAP Foundry in Brisbane.

The Big Hose is on permanent display outside GOMA Bistro.

Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)
Brisbane, Australia