Warrajamba

Quandamooka artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins will reimagine Museum of Brisbane’s Creative Space into an interactive and immersive realm, exploring the ancestral story of Warrajamba, the mermaid, from March 28 to November 15.

Delvene welcomes audiences to slow down and connect with Country and culture through a series of reflective creative activities for visitors of all ages, in the heart of the Museum. As MoB’s newest Artist in Residence, Delvene invites the community to join her on her quest to find Warrajamba—a central figure in her art—as she continues an ongoing search to find the ending of the mermaid’s story.

A proud Quandamooka woman of the Nunukul and Goenpul (Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island) and Ngugi (Mulgumpin/Moreton Island) peoples, Delvene draws her inspiration and guidance from Warrajamba, a significant story passed down through her grandmother Bethel Delany and mother Evelyn Parkin.

Delvene’s art will feature in the space, including a soaring sculptural work made from natural materials sourced from Minjerribah, such as yungair/yungaire (freshwater reed), talwalpin (beach hibiscus cotton tree) and quampie shells.

Good to know – Within the Creative Space, visitors can take part in free making activities, including crafting mermaid or dugong dolly peg dolls using stamps designed by Delvene—a playful way to engage with the story and the artist’s visual practice. Throughout 2026, audiences can see Delvene in action as part of her residency and connect with her practice more deeply through community workshops and school holiday activities for children and teens.

Need to know – To find out about access at the Museum, click here.

MoB’s Artist in Residence program is supported by Tim Fairfax AC. The Creative Space is proudly supported by Major Partner Brisbane Airport and generously supported by Ian and Cass George, and Holly and John Livingstone. Warrajamba is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. Photography: Vivid Visual Co. 

Museum of Brisbane is a valued partner of Must Do Brisbane.com