Location
Ephemera 2025 will be displayed along The Strand in Townsville, Australia. The Strand is a 2.2km world-class beachfront open space custom-built for enjoyment. This iconic beachfront forms part of a 10.9km stretch of palm tree lined bike and walkway paths, safe swimming beaches, picturesque picnic spots, playgrounds, exercise stations, a water park and restaurants and bars with spectacular water views.
Visitors can enjoy the free family fun of The Strand Water Park, fish off the pier, choose to get active with a leisurely walk, an invigorating run, or a scenic cycling adventure, or simply laze on the beach and enjoy the million-dollar views of Magnetic Island. The Strand offers the best of all worlds.
For avid photographers and nature enthusiasts, The Strand is a haven for capturing unforgettable moments. With its awe-inspiring sunsets, shimmering blue waters, and the distant Magnetic Island as a backdrop, this is a photographer's paradise, offering endless opportunities for breathtaking shots.
Event Guide
Meet Ollie
As part of the lead up to this year’s Ephemera: Trace-less, the Galleries team engaged Wulgurukaba Elders to identify an animal that is local to The Strand and nominate a local First Nation artist to conceptualise their chosen animal. The animal chosen was an olive-backed sunbird, drawn by Selwyn Johnson.
Selwyn’s artwork was digitised so that it could be used throughout various pieces of promotional collateral for Ephemera. The sunbird element of the artwork was then re-imagined by our in-house design team to create the mascot for Ephemera 2025.
Selwyn Johnson has lived in Townsville his whole life and is a proud Aboriginal artist. A descendant of the Wulgurukaba people (‘canoe people’), he is a Traditional Owner of Townsville.
The Wulgurukaba people call their Country Gurambilbarra (Townsville) and Yunbenun (Magnetic Island). The artworks Selwyn creates draw heavily from his cultural identity.
