Tucked away along the Sandy Bay coastline, a once-unassuming pump station has been transformed into a vibrant artwork through a community-led art initiative celebrating local pride and healthy waterways.

Led by Tasmanian muralist Bec Adamczewski (Becski), the Blinking Billy Mural – part of Art for The Sea Project brought together emerging artists Kate Deane and Shiloh Quilliam to collaborate on a vibrant visual story celebrating Tasmania’s marine environment and the voices of its youth.

TasWater’s Head of Brand and Insights Jill Cummins, said the mural is part of the broader Asset Art Program, which transforms infrastructure into public art to foster pride, reduce vandalism, and spark conversation about water, community and country.

“We’re thrilled to see the final brush strokes completed - Blinking Billy is such an iconic spot, and it’s an honour to help turn it into a canvas for youth-led storytelling,” Ms Cummins said.

“This mural is about more than just colour, it’s about connection, climate, and the power of young voices to shape our future.”

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds welcomed the art initiative, saying: “Public art like this brings our city to life and gives voice to the values that matter most - environmental stewardship, youth empowerment, and cultural expression. The Blinking Billy mural will be a powerful symbol of Hobart’s commitment to creativity and climate action.”

Muralist Becski said “This artwork celebrates the rich biodiversity of timtumili minanya (The River Derwent) and nearby oceans, highlighting endemic, vulnerable, and endangered species alongside the impact of introduced life and human activity.

“Each side of the Blinking Billy facade flows with oceanic rhythms - currents, kelp, sea stars, jellyfish, and soft corals - forming a tapestry of movement and life. Woven baskets, used for millennia by Tasmanian Palawa people to gather shellfish like abalone, speak to the enduring abundance of the sea and its deep cultural significance,” Becski said.

About the Artists

• Becski, a Hobart-based muralist, is known for her nature-inspired designs that explore Tasmania’s wild landscapes and urban spaces.
• Kate Deane, a Trawlwoolway/Palawa woman from Ulverstone, brings cultural depth and environmental storytelling to her work.
• Shiloh Quilliam, an emerging Hobart-based artist passionate about biodiversity, contributed vibrant imagery that reflects the richness of Tasmania’s marine life.

The Blinking Billy Point Mural is a TasWater owned and commissioned project. With the young artists supported by the Art for the Sea Project made possible through the City of Hobart Youth Climate Action Fund with financial support from Bloomberg Philanthropies.

TasWater’s next project under its Asset Art Program, the East Coast Art Trail will see 17 sewage pump station switchboards from Orford and St Helens transformed into vibrant murals celebrating Tasmania’s coastal heritage, rich biodiversity, and strong sense of community.

Visitors can view the mural at Blinking Billy Point!