Welcome to the eighth instalment of 'UQ by design', a 12-part Contact series celebrating the beauty and abundance of UQ's cultural assets. Join us each month as we take you on a virtual guided tour across UQ's three campuses, providing a brief overview of the pieces and where you can find them. This month, we 'light the way' – looking at lighting features at St Lucia.


How we see light can bring great joy in life, whether looking through a stained-glass window, watching a colourfully illuminated building at night – or even crossing the road.

The magnificent stained-glass windows in the east end of the UQ Art Museum were installed in 1972 thanks to a generous $12,000 gift by Eidsvold Station grazier, Mr Barney Joyce OBE (1908–1983). The six 6 x 16 metre glass panels were designed by artist Neville Matthews (1930–2013), who commented, “Multifaceted, it speaks of the multifaceted make-up of the different faculties within the University and the broadness of attitude encouraged in them.” Benefactor Joyce donated the windows “in appreciation of Fitzpierce de Normanville Joyce, Rose Eileen Joyce and Joan Willoughby Joyce”, his parents and wife.

Illuminating a building with coloured lights at night can completely transform its appearance and can also draw attention to special events happening at the time. In 2018, the ULA Group was asked to complete illumination of the entire Forgan Smith building facade at St Lucia using an energy efficient, fully programmable, infinite colour solution with remote access capability. This has allowed automatic and easy acknowledgement of many occasions of importance such as NAIDOC Week (red, yellow, black and green, blue, white), Multiple Sclerosis Week (red), Diabetes awareness (blue), Queensland Week (maroon) and Harmony Day (orange).

UQ’s annual BLOOM Festival – a celebration of spring as well as of the success of UQ students, staff and alumni – is held each year in October, jacaranda season. At the St Lucia campus, participants can immerse themselves in beautiful outdoor spaces including the UQ Lakes area, which become bathed in purple light.

Even traffic lights can spark joy! When crossing to the main campus near Chancellor’s Place at UQ St Lucia, you may notice the bespoke traffic signals featuring mini graduates in their caps. These were installed in 2015 at the direction of the then Director of Property and Facilities, Alan Egan, who was keen to beautify and personalise the campus.


Click on the photos below to reveal the full image

UQ Art Museum stained glass windows.

Stained glass windows in the UQ Art Museum at the St Lucia campus.

Stained glass windows in the UQ Art Museum at the St Lucia campus.

Lighting display at UQ St Lucia.

The Forgan Smith building lit up in blue and orange at UQ St Lucia.

The Forgan Smith building lit up in blue and orange at UQ St Lucia.

Forgan Smith building's red lighting at UQ St Lucia.

Lighting the Forgan Smith building in red at UQ St Lucia.

Lighting the Forgan Smith building in red at UQ St Lucia.

Purple lighting for the UQ BLOOM Festival

Lighting for the BLOOM Festival by the lakes at UQ St Lucia.

Lighting for the BLOOM Festival by the lakes at UQ St Lucia.

UQ graduate stop sign at St Lucia campus

The 'UQ graduate' red stop sign at Chancellor's Place, St Lucia.

The 'UQ graduate' red stop sign at Chancellor's Place, St Lucia.

'UQ graduate' green go sign at UQ St Lucia

The 'UQ graduate' green go sign at Chancellor's Place, UQ St Lucia.

The 'UQ graduate' green go sign at Chancellor's Place, UQ St Lucia.

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UQ Art Museum stained glass windows.

Stained glass windows in the UQ Art Museum at the St Lucia campus.

Stained glass windows in the UQ Art Museum at the St Lucia campus.

Lighting display at UQ St Lucia.

The Forgan Smith building lit up in blue and orange at UQ St Lucia.

The Forgan Smith building lit up in blue and orange at UQ St Lucia.

Forgan Smith building's red lighting at UQ St Lucia.

Lighting the Forgan Smith building in red at UQ St Lucia.

Lighting the Forgan Smith building in red at UQ St Lucia.

Purple lighting for the UQ BLOOM Festival

Lighting for the BLOOM Festival by the lakes at UQ St Lucia.

Lighting for the BLOOM Festival by the lakes at UQ St Lucia.

UQ graduate stop sign at St Lucia campus

The 'UQ graduate' red stop sign at Chancellor's Place, St Lucia.

The 'UQ graduate' red stop sign at Chancellor's Place, St Lucia.

'UQ graduate' green go sign at UQ St Lucia

The 'UQ graduate' green go sign at Chancellor's Place, UQ St Lucia.

The 'UQ graduate' green go sign at Chancellor's Place, UQ St Lucia.

Be sure to check back in next month, as Contact looks at UQ's magnificent museums.


Words and concept: Suzanne Parker
Artwork and design: James North
Photography: Anjanette Webb
Contributors: Jeremy Crowley

All artworks and artefacts mentioned in this series are located on UQ's St Lucia, Gatton and Herston campuses, and we acknowledge the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which the University stands. We pay our respect to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country. We recognise their valuable contributions to Australian and global society.