'Gabrugal Yana'
Western Sydney Parklands
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Acknowledgement of Country
Sydney
A Slice of Country Honouring First Nations
Public Art
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Project details
SYDNEY, NSW | GADIGAL
2024Client: Parliament of NSW
Artists: Alison Page, Rowena Welsh-Jarrett and Simon Reece
Partners: Steesen Varming
Photography: Parliament of NSW, Steensen VarmingIn the spirit of reconciliation, the Parliament of NSW commissioned a respectful artwork to be displayed on the grounds of Parliament House as a permanent Acknowledgement of Country. The hand-crafted ceramic sculpture honours the Gadigal people and Their land on which Parliament was built.
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Background
The artwork celebrates the Gadigal people and conveys their profound knowledge and ways of living, enriching future generations and entwining them with Their stories.
Through collaborative consultation with Metro and La Perouse Aboriginal Land Councils, Parliament NSW engaged Alison Page, a Dharawal and Yuin artist, and Rowena Welsh-Jarrett, a Dharawal and Gumbaynggirr cultural consultant, along with ceramic artist Simon Reece, to create the important cultural symbol. The totem-shaped artwork stands 1.5 metres tall and features distinct layers using local earth, ash, stone, ochres, shell, and even hair strands from the artists and Indigenous Parliament representatives, embedding deep cultural significance.
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Parliament of NSW unveils Acknowledgment of Country Sculpture on Macquarie Street Forecourt Guests: The Hon. Ben Franklin MLC, President of the NSW Legislative Council The Hon. Greg Piper MP, Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC Governor of NSW Dharawal and Yuin artist Alison Page Indigenous heritage consultant Rowena Welsh-Jarret Ceramic artist Simon Reece Mark Speakman, Opposition Leader David Blunt, Clerk of the Parliaments Helen Minnican, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly -
Tilt Services
Tilt has a history of collaboration with Alison and Simon on many unique public art projects. With mutual trust and respect, the team combined their skills to create a powerful and engaging artwork that conveys the depth of knowledge and history of First Nations Custodians.
Working with the artists, Tilt assisted with project delivery, including initial concept consultation, design development, project management, and installation. A concrete footing, designed by Tilt, serves as the base of the sculpture, symbolising the bedrock on which Sydney stands. Tilt developed the methodology for connecting each of the layers and ensuring their robust assembly in the garden at Parliament House.
- Project Consultation
- Detailed Design inc. structural engineering review and certification, construction documentation
- Fabrication management and procurement
- Installation, site documentation and handover
- Project Management
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Parliament of NSW unveils Acknowledgment of Country Sculpture on Macquarie Street Forecourt Guests: The Hon. Ben Franklin MLC, President of the NSW Legislative Council The Hon. Greg Piper MP, Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC Governor of NSW Dharawal and Yuin artist Alison Page Indigenous heritage consultant Rowena Welsh-Jarret Ceramic artist Simon Reece Mark Speakman, Opposition Leader David Blunt, Clerk of the Parliaments Helen Minnican, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly 
Parliament of NSW unveils Acknowledgment of Country Sculpture on Macquarie Street Forecourt Guests: The Hon. Ben Franklin MLC, President of the NSW Legislative Council The Hon. Greg Piper MP, Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC Governor of NSW Dharawal and Yuin artist Alison Page Indigenous heritage consultant Rowena Welsh-Jarret Ceramic artist Simon Reece Mark Speakman, Opposition Leader David Blunt, Clerk of the Parliaments Helen Minnican, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly 
Parliament of NSW unveils Acknowledgment of Country Sculpture on Macquarie Street Forecourt Guests: The Hon. Ben Franklin MLC, President of the NSW Legislative Council The Hon. Greg Piper MP, Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC Governor of NSW Dharawal and Yuin artist Alison Page Indigenous heritage consultant Rowena Welsh-Jarret Ceramic artist Simon Reece Mark Speakman, Opposition Leader David Blunt, Clerk of the Parliaments Helen Minnican, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly 
Parliament of NSW unveils Acknowledgment of Country Sculpture on Macquarie Street Forecourt Guests: The Hon. Ben Franklin MLC, President of the NSW Legislative Council The Hon. Greg Piper MP, Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC Governor of NSW Dharawal and Yuin artist Alison Page Indigenous heritage consultant Rowena Welsh-Jarret Ceramic artist Simon Reece Mark Speakman, Opposition Leader David Blunt, Clerk of the Parliaments Helen Minnican, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly 
Parliament of NSW unveils Acknowledgment of Country Sculpture on Macquarie Street Forecourt Guests: The Hon. Ben Franklin MLC, President of the NSW Legislative Council The Hon. Greg Piper MP, Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC Governor of NSW Dharawal and Yuin artist Alison Page Indigenous heritage consultant Rowena Welsh-Jarret Ceramic artist Simon Reece Mark Speakman, Opposition Leader David Blunt, Clerk of the Parliaments Helen Minnican, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly 
Parliament of NSW unveils Acknowledgment of Country Sculpture on Macquarie Street Forecourt Guests: The Hon. Ben Franklin MLC, President of the NSW Legislative Council The Hon. Greg Piper MP, Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC Governor of NSW Dharawal and Yuin artist Alison Page Indigenous heritage consultant Rowena Welsh-Jarret Ceramic artist Simon Reece Mark Speakman, Opposition Leader David Blunt, Clerk of the Parliaments Helen Minnican, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly 
Parliament of NSW unveils Acknowledgment of Country Sculpture on Macquarie Street Forecourt Guests: The Hon. Ben Franklin MLC, President of the NSW Legislative Council The Hon. Greg Piper MP, Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC Governor of NSW Dharawal and Yuin artist Alison Page Indigenous heritage consultant Rowena Welsh-Jarret Ceramic artist Simon Reece Mark Speakman, Opposition Leader David Blunt, Clerk of the Parliaments Helen Minnican, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly -
Outcome
The Acknowledgement of Country artwork at NSW Parliament is a poignant commemoration of our ancient First Nations heritage and a meaningful gesture towards reconciliation. The beautifully crafted artwork is borne out of collaboration and consultation to ensure it authentically represents Country and First Nations peoples. The artwork will live in perpetuity as a way to connect, educate and pay respect to our First Nations heritage.
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Pictured (L-R): Dharawal/Gumbaynggirr Indigenous heritage consultant Rowena Welsh-Jarret, Ceramic artist Simon Reece and Dharawal and Yuin artist Alison Page -
Art has a unique ability to bridge gaps and bring people together, and this sculpture is a testament to our commitment to reconciliation and cultural appreciation.
– The Hon. Greg Piper MP, Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly
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