Last Saturday it was such a privilege to celebrate NAIDOC Week at our Wardle Sydney home on Gadigal land, 477 Pitt Street, with an event we co-hosted with (Australian Institute of Architects) EmAGN NSW.
In the spirit of this year’s theme of “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud", those in attendance in the new ground floor 'verandah' space were treated to insights about the First Nations' designed elements that have been integrated into the refurbishment works recently completed on site.
Before hearing from the designers themselves, the mood was set with a poetic Welcome to Country by Gadigal Elder Uncle Charles Davison. With a weaving of Gadigal history and the occasional gentle truth-telling, Uncle Charles provided a beautiful cultural context for the contemporary work that was to follow.
Artist Jake Nash spoke about the conceptual narrative and intricate process of production behind his 12m wide video artwork, Country II, which frames one long edge of the verandah space and served as a captivating backdrop to the event.
Jake's artwork (curated by UAP | Urban Art Projects) incorporates elements from the Sydney Basin such as water, rain, flowers, dust, leaves, and seed pods. Despite its urban setting, the artwork operates at a different pace, reflecting the natural rhythms of the land. It is designed to exist in harmony with Country, serving as a timekeeper, a source of knowledge, and a caretaker for all of us.
Jake was followed by Christian Hampson and Jessica Hodge from Yerrabingin Pty Ltd who spoke with equal parts conviction and inspiration about their beautiful re-imagining of the building's rooftop landscape.
Conceived as a Native Food Garden, Yerrabingin has transformed the unused roof terrace into a thriving landscape. The Garden design draws upon Gadigal wisdom to support an innovative landscape response, incorporating 100% native planting with 70% being edible or medicinal varieties. First Nations knowledge sharing through food production is fundamental to the Garden's success, transcending boundaries between food production, environmental stewardship, and civic landscape.
The garden then became the scene for morning tea and a continued conversation about the importance of an ongoing connection to Country and First Nations knowledge in the design of the city. A fitting way, we think, to Keep the Fire Burning....
Thanks to all who attended and to ISPT for allowing us to share our new home over the weekend and for their ongoing commitment to First Nations art and design.