When I was commissioned to create a public artwork for the high profile One Circular Quay project, I took the opportunity to reclaim this prime address for its rightful owners, the Dharawal people.
I had the idea of a huge bronze bust, part-female, part-whale, rising up out of the tank stream in all her glory, looking out toward Bennelong Point.
After consultations with the Sydney Coastal Aboriginal Women’s Group and curators Rhoda Roberts AO and Emily McDaniel, the 5.5 metre cast bronze statue, titled Badjgama Ngunda Whuliwulawala (Black Women Rising) is currently being fabricated by UAP in Brisbane before being brought down to Sydney Harbour.
The figure represents the deep connection Aboriginal people have to Country and serves as an invitation for all women and all people to connect with her strength and resilience.
Stay tuned as the work will be unveiled outside of the Waldorf Astoria Sydney hotel in early 2027.
Linda Morris from the Sydney Morning Herald wrote this article:
