Artists Carmen Glynn-Braun, a Kaytetye/Anmatyerre woman, and Kamilaroi man Dennis Golding are the creatives behind an artwork on the exterior walls of the South Sydney Rabbitohs' new home ground in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
The artwork features layers of storytelling and local customs of the local Gweagal people, a clan group of the Dharawal nation who call Kamay their home.
The design, Shimmer, is a celebration of native sea wildlife including stingrays, barrow hawks and winter mullet that has sustained the Gwegal people of Kamay Botany Bay for generations.
“We titled all the works Shimmer because they're all interconnected in how they reflect light, like the sun off the water," Ms Glynn-Braun said.
"It's not just about reflection in a literal sense, but also about reflection of the past and listening, and especially listening to elders."
The placement of the golden artworks on the exterior of the community centre building was intentional.
“The sun interacts with it twice a day, as it would on top of the water with the mullet flowing through the water below,” Ms Glynn-Braun said.
As First Nations artists an important part of their creative practice is ensuring that they consult with the local elders from the community where their artwork will be installed or exhibited.
The community consultation for this project involved Ms Glynn-Braun and Mr Golding working directly with local knowledge holder Uncle Steve Russell on the creative direction their artworks should take.
The consultation process with Uncle Steve Russell involved the pair looking at local Aboriginal iconography, conducting research and visiting the local museums.
“We wanted to show how Aboriginal people know their country and have this cultural knowledge and a connection to this landscape," Mr Golding said.
"We were able to tell those stories through these objects and illustrating them, like we're looking at country from a top view, creates this flow."
The opening of the Heffron Centre takes place on Saturday, July 1.
