Stage One of the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) in Townsville North Queensland will officially launch on 1 August 2020 with tours commencing to the Coral Greenhouse installation at John Brewer Reef.

The Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) in Townsville North Queensland comprises of a series of installations by renowned underwater sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor that highlight reef conservation, restoration, and education.

As the only underwater art museum in the Southern Hemisphere, MOUA is a beautiful and innovative blend of art, science, culture and conservation.

Ocean Siren

The first stage of MOUA has already been installed including ‘Ocean Siren’ at The Strand. The inaugural sculpture in the Southern Hemisphere’s first Museum of Underwater Art, the ‘Ocean Siren’ is installed alongside North Queensland’s iconic Strand Jetty in Townsville.

‘Ocean Siren’ is modelled on local Wulgurukaba Traditional Owner Takoda Johnson, with a vision to inspire reef and ocean conservation action and achieve positive environmental outcomes

Image ©Jason deCaires Taylor

The ‘Ocean Siren’ reacts to live water temperature data from the Davies Reef weather station on the Great Barrier Reef and changes colour in response to live variations in water temperature.

The ‘Coral Greenhouse’ at John Brewer Reef in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park has also been installed. In the heart of the Greater Barrier Reef
Marine Park and the largest MOUA installation, sharing a message of reef conservation and restoration.

It is the first-ever underwater building created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, who hopes to advance education and offer opportunities for scientists, marine students and tourists to engage – either by snorkel or dive – in action-based learning and to conduct globally important research on coral reef restoration and new technology.

Image ©Richard Woodgett

Weighing more than 58 tonnes, the ‘Coral Greenhouse’ is filled with and surrounded by 20 reef guardians who are propagating coral to spread the message of reef conservation.