Dennis Golding and Carmen Glynn-Braun, the creative duo behind Re-Right Collective, created the meaningful artwork for Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick to welcome patients and visitors. The culturally significant artwork weaves a cultural narrative that honours the significance of Bidjigal Country while creating moments of recognition, comfort and connection for patients, families, staff and visitors.

“The concept firstly celebrates the Bidjigal women’s practice of shell artwork, but we wanted to engage with local youth from the area and young people who have ancestral ties to this country and the Bidjigal women.” said Dennis Golding.

The design draws on the stories, landscapes and cultural knowledge of Bidjigal Country, translating them into a meaningful arrival experience. A large-scale mural and handcrafted ceramic elements respond to different aspects of Country and its enduring cultural narratives.

The mural takes inspiration from the topographical patterns of the local landscape and coastal edges, with flowing lines evoking water, pathways across Country and the journeys Aboriginal people have made throughout the region for generations. Layered forms of land, water and sky create a visual narrative that reflects the enduring relationship between people and place.

Community collaboration was integral to the design process, with Re-Right Collective working closely with Elders from the La Perouse Aboriginal community. Their knowledge, stories and lived experience informed the creative direction, including the ceramic elements inspired by Bidjigal women collecting shells along the shoreline. Local school students further contributed by hand-forming clay shells, which were developed into durable glazed ceramic elements under the guidance and expertise of ceramic artist Simon Reece. Together, these elements bring community participation, cultural knowledge and skilled craftsmanship into the finished artwork.