The City of Fremantle’s aspiration to commission a major public artwork for Walyalup Koort has received significant support through a $949,993 grant from Lotterywest.
The vision of Kaarl Boyak Naariny (Fire is Burning on the Rocks) by local artists Sharyn Egan (Whadjuk Nyoongar) and Simon Gilby will be a powerful, contemporary public artwork that respects and recognises the entire Nyoongar Nation and creates a Nyoongar sense of place in Walyalup Koort, the civic heart of Walyalup/Fremantle.
The symbolic and thought-provoking artwork will compliment and contradict the urban colonial environment in which it will sit, between the heritage listed St John’s Anglican Church and the architecturally award winning Walyalup Civic Centre building.
The vision for the artwork includes an assembly of large stones geographically aligned to the 14 Nyoongar Nations, a fire vessel, a field of illuminated stars and a digital element showcasing stories of Nyoongar culture.
The Lotterywest grant covers the creation and installation of the final artwork, and importantly and courageously, it also covers a comprehensive engagement process with the 14 Nyoongar Nations to help shape the artists’ vision.
The vision of the artists has received the generous support from the Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation and Cultural Advice Committee. This idea has developed over many years and the City acknowledges the work of the original project team and their engagement with Traditional Owners through the Whadjuk Working Group.
Artist Sharyn Egan said the work invites all 14 Nyoongar language clans to be represented in the heart of Walyalup.
“Our artistic vision will only be realised through considered consultation and validation by the entire Nyoongar Nation.
“We are offering all the clans in the south-west of Western Australia an unprecedented truth telling opportunity by contributing their stories and stones from country.
“Walyalup Koort is a special meeting place of the past, present and future. This artwork will create a sense of belonging and pride for all people,” Ms Egan said.
Artist Simon Gilby said the artwork is designed as a welcoming act of cultural reassertion, speaking a language different to everything else in Walyalup.
“The artwork is an act of sovereignty and an ‘acknowledgement of country’.
“For the rest of the community (the one that I come from) I hope the artwork becomes a gentle ‘reckoning ground’, welcoming, uplifting and unsettling. An opportunity for us to recognise what we don’t know and to begin to understand,” Mr Gilby said.
Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the City was extremely grateful to Lotterywest for making the artwork possible.
“The City of Fremantle sincerely thanks the Lotterywest Board for their support of this significant public artwork that will engage generations of people with the historical and ongoing cultural importance of Walyalup and the entire Nyoongar Nation.
“This artwork, along with the City’s proposed plans for public realm upgrades to support the project, continues the transformation of what was previously known as Kings Square, now Walyalup Koort.
“This artwork will be a permanent and powerful reminder that the land on which we live, work and play, is the traditional land of the Whadjuk people.
“It is a powerful expression of Fremantle’s genuine commitment to respect and recognition,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.
Lotterywest CEO Colin Smith said support towards the City of Fremantle will help showcase Aboriginal stories and culture through the influence of art.
“Lotterywest’s grant will play a key role in forming cultural links between artists and Nyoongar language groups on country and around south-west WA.
“Through this work, audiences will have the chance to preserve, share and respect WA’s unique culture, history and knowledge,” Mr Smith said.
In presenting the grant to the City, Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk said “Public art has the ability to transform urban spaces, making them more vibrant, inclusive and culturally enriched. When it acknowledges and honours the past it also provides community healing and growth.
“I am delighted that Walyalup Koort and Fremantle will be the home of this dynamic new artwork and I look forward to watching the artists and Nyoongar community develop and install their final artistic vision,” Ms McGurk said.
City of Fremantle’s Director of Creative Arts and Community Pete Stone said the artwork will be a unique, spiritual contribution to the heart of Fremantle.
“This will be an artwork of national significance. It will be a focal point for the community to ponder the very nature of ownership, place and heritage and it will engage our own community and visitors from all over WA, Australia and the world,” Mr Stone said.
The artwork’s collaboration between Mr Gilby and Ms Egan, two of Western Australia’s leading contemporary artists, embodies the spirit and purpose of the project.
The City of Fremantle will be proposing to undertake and integrate the civil works required to deliver the two-year project as part of the annual budget process for the 2025/26 financial year.
