Go back in time to a moonlight night in Brisbane

Sun 27 Oct 2024

William Bustard (18 April 1894–1973) was an important figure in the development of art in Queensland from the 1920s onwards, advocating for artists to capture Queensland’s unique light and landscape. An example of his early work, Evening light 1927 (illustrated) depicts the Brisbane Customs House. Bustard was well aware of contemporary trends and techniques and this painting rather than be highly detailed, portrays an atmospheric mood much favoured by the Australian Tonalists.

Customs House today

The Customs House has had minor changes and repairs over its life, however in 2024, it’s now undergoing essential roof restoration 135 years since it was built — it’s time for the aged, green copper dome to be replaced with a replica one — returning the building’s exterior to its opening days. This will dramatically alter its current appearance, however over time, the bright copper will change colour as it’s exposed to the elements returning to its green ‘patina’. If you’re heading down Queen Street, look up and you’ll see the new dome being revealed.

William Bustard ‘Evening light’ 1927

An interest of Bustard was the Brisbane River and surroundings, the reflection of light and the shadows cast. Evening light is a rare work that depicts the river and the Brisbane Customs House illuminated by the moon. The myriad of different light sources emitted from the glimmer of artificial lights — the red beacon of the ferry terminal, and the yellow glow from neighboring Queen Street city buildings depicted with ghostly projections — combine with the silhouette of the fig tree whose dark shadow merges with the Customs House.

The Gallery also has a linocut by Bustard, Customs House, Brisbane 1931 (illustrated) which depicts the same scene during the day. It was exhibited at the artist’s first solo exhibition in October 1931 at Griffiths Tea Rooms in Brisbane (illustrated). It’s possible Evening light was also exhibited in the same show under the listing Customs House (moonlight), and some years later it was documented in the 1934 Queenslander annual as Customs House at night.

William Bustard ‘Customs House, Brisbane’ 1931

Griffiths Tea Rooms

Brothers James and John Griffiths started producing Australian-grown tea in 1879, they were one of Australia’s first tea and coffee merchants. The Griffiths Brothers tea rooms which occupied much of the ground floor and part of the basement of their six-storey Griffiths House building on Queen Street (1923-24, demolished 1975) — near the intersection of Eagle Street (illustrated) and not far from the Customs House — was the venue for many art exhibitions.

Customs house

Customs houses were built in all major Australian ports in the nineteenth century as customs and excise duties were an important source of revenue, levied on goods from overseas, this was particularly important to Queensland where the manufacturing sector was slower to develop. The Queensland government replaced its existing Customs House on the site (illustrated) with the much grander building at 427 Queen Street, opening in 1889 (illustrated) appropriate for the growing importance of the port of Brisbane.

The two-story Queen Street facade, and the three-storeys visible from the river side is an example of refined Classical style architecture with its copper-sheathed dome viewed from every elevation, whether from Queen Street or from the river at Petrie Bight. After Federation in 1901 the Customs House became part of the commonwealth government’s customs service and the building now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register is still one of Brisbane’s best known buildings.

Delve deeper into the Collection

William Bustard Archive

William Bustard is represented in the QAGOMA Collection, and the Research Library holds the William Bustard Archive of original material, including his exhibitions book 1931–50, press clippings, photographs of his stained-glass windows and letters.

QAGOMA Research Library

The QAGOMA Research Library is located on Level 3 of the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). Open to the public Tuesday to Friday 10.00am to 5.00pm. visit us in person or explore the online catalogue. Access to special collections is available by appointment.

Curatorial extracts, research and supplementary material compiled by Elliott Murray, Senior Digital Marketing Officer, QAGOMA