A striking First Nations artwork has adorned a construction hoarding in Petrie Plaza. Titled ‘Ngunawal Country’, the temporary artwork by Jazz Matthews (Wilay Designs) is part of a City Renewal Authority and Suburban Land Agency initiative to transform hoardings into engaging art displays.
Jazz Matthews (Wilay Designs) with the artwork in Petrie Plaza.
“The artwork centres around a fire, symbolising warmth and gathering. It shows the coming together of mob and community, with kangaroo tracks showing movement and surrounding waterways,” Ms Matthews said.
“It aims to convey a positive and growing environment with the vibrant colours of country, to create a true sense of home.”
Six artists, including Jazz, were commissioned for City Renewal’s Creative Hoardings Pilot Program. These pieces are available for use by developers and property owners on hoardings within the City Renewal Precinct and on Suburban Land Agency sites. The trial provides artists the opportunity to display their work in large, visible locations while addressing the challenges of long-term construction sites.
These temporary artworks aim to deter graffiti and enhance the City Centre’s visual appeal. As a trial, the program is designed to test the application of creative hoardings and provide insights if a broader program should be considered.
A before and after comparison of the artwork.
The artwork has been installed on a new multi-storey office development by Canberra’s NDH Group. Director, George D Katheklakis highlighted the objectives of the program.
“A hoarding is a necessary safety barrier between a construction site and the public. Unfortunately, all too often they are a large, blank canvas which attracts unsightly tagging and graffiti," Mr Katheklakis said.
"This presents the opportunity for something much more visually appealing. As supporters of local artists, we recognise the platform this provides artists, and the positive impression it will leave on visitors to the city and connection back to Country.”
City Centre developers are being encouraged to take part in the Creative Hoardings Pilot Program, which provides licenced artworks and design templates free of charge for eligible hoardings, with developers covering the cost of printing, installation, and maintenance.
The artwork is centred around a fire, symbolising warmth and gathering.
The Petrie Plaza is the third site to participate in the program, with artworks already installed on hoardings at the Garema Place Hotel and a Suburban Land Agency site in Belconnen. More information and samples of the artworks are available on our website act.gov.au/cityrenewal/get-involved/creative-hoardings.
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
