It’s raining colour: Rainbrella Project brings joy to Ginger Factory

From left, Ginger Factory Tourism Manager Brenda Bailey, Artist Sophy Blake and Public Art Curator Sunshine Coast Council Julie Hauritz officially opened the extraordinary exhibit.

A huge splash of colour has arrived in Yandina with close to a thousand brightly coloured umbrellas suspended over the rainforest gardens at the Ginger Factory.

The team, inspired by Tourism Manager Brenda Bailey, collaborated with local artist Sophy Blake to create a joyous explosion of colour, aptly named the Rainbrella Project. 

“The Ginger Factory is a place where people can come and enjoy art for art’s sake,” said Ginger Factory Tourism Manager Brenda Bailey. “We are a free entry park and this is a public art installation that anybody can come and enjoy. And that, I love.

“It is our hope that being the first artwork of its kind on the Sunshine Coast, the installation brings joy, happiness and peace to all who journey through its colourful paths.” 

“The artwork explores the theme of hope and new beginnings,” said artist Sophy Blake referring to the Covid pandemic.

“Historically rainbows are known as a symbol of hope; a symbol that despite the darkness, storms or tribulations of life, can appear, evoking a feeling of peace.

“With each colour signifying an expression of hope, rainbows bring the promise that the troubles of today will come to pass,” she said. 

The free installation is made up of nearly 1000 rainbow-coloured umbrellas suspended above the rainforest via a network of interconnected steel structures designed to last. 

The stunning display has had guests craning their heads skywards over the past few weeks as it has been installed. It’s also proved a practical protection from the unusually wet weather experienced this autumn. 

• Visitors can enjoy the Rainbrella Project 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm at The Ginger Factory, 50 Pioneer Road, Yandina.