Electric Botany

A vibrant art trail across Launceston celebrating botanical illustrations by Margaret Stones.

Local artists were invited to study the collection of Margaret Stones botanical illustrations held in the QVMAG collection. Their interpretations of Stones' delicate work have been splashed, traced and swirled across a suite of new traffic control boxes that help manage the flow of vehicles around our city.

These control boxes have been upgraded throughout 2019 and 2020 by the Department of State Growth, in partnership with the City of Launceston and the Federal Government, as a Smart City initiative under the Greater Launceston Transformation Project and the Launceston City Deal.

Each interpretation is unique, with results varying from realistic works through to colourful abstractions. As part of stage one of the project, 20 boxes were painted at a warehouse and installed along Wellington and Bathurst Streets. Stage two will again ask artists to respond to the Stones collection at QVMAG, but this time, creatives will reinvigorate boxes in situ. Keep an eye out for artists at work.

The trail of boxes will ultimately connect users with Launceston's eateries, boutiques, parks and galleries and encourages the community to hit the pavement and reconnect with our city's historic streetscapes.