First Nations culture has been illuminated through a series of new decorative light poles and seating installations that honour the stories and identity of the Ngunnawal Traditional Custodians.
Titled Ngunnawal Dhawura Artworks, the artwork is a series of contemporary cultural pieces celebrating Ngunnawal Country, culture and continuing connection to place led by Ngunnawal Traditional Custodians. The installation features four steel poles and a seat, laser-cut with intricate artworks by the artists and internal lighting to create a striking new landmark both during the day and at night.
Ngunnawal Dhawura Artworks, a series of contemporary cultural artworks celebrating Ngunnawal Country, culture and continuing connection to place, led by Ngunnawal Traditional Custodians.
The work reflects deep cultural narratives and connections to Country, including:
Uncle Wally Bell, Aunty Wendy Brown and Aunty Karen Denny have also contributed to the project, providing symbols of meeting and platypus that have been incorporated into the seat design alongside artwork by Bradley and Jessica Mapiva-Borwn.
Artists Justin Reid, Justine Bamblett-Brown, Bradley Mapiva-Brown and Jess Mapiva-Borwn.
The artworks were commissioned by City Renewal and managed in collaboration with Bagariin Ngunnawal Cultural Consulting to bring together art, design, and cultural storytelling to the heart of Canberra’s City Centre as part of the Garema Place and City Walk upgrade.
“This project is about more than the artworks. It’s about embedding our stories and heritage into Garema Place,” Bradley Mapiva Brown, Ngunnawal artist and Managing Director of Bagariin Ngunnawal Cultural Consulting said.
“It’s important to incorporate these elements into places as new development happens on Country,” adds Bradley.
The artwork comes to life at night through internal illumination.
The digital documentation of the artworks was completed in collaboration with local design studio Formswell. Once each artwork was digitised, it was fabricated by HDM Metal before being installed by RAM Constructions, the construction partner for the Garema Place and City Walk upgrade.
These illuminated installations will serve as a lasting tribute to Ngunnawal heritage for Canberrans and visitors to the City Centre.
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We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
