First Nations art feature at North Wright

Ngunnawal Art installed in North Wright

We are working with Belco Arts to deliver a program that embeds First Nations culture in public spaces in ways that are self-determined by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Canberra. The first step taken by Belco Arts was to employ a local Ngunnawal woman to a newly created role working alongside local Elders, creatives and fabricators. 

The program will entail walks, talks, sharing stories, cultural advice, mentorships, expressions of interest open to First Nations artists, collaborations with fabricators, installers, opportunities to work in new scales and new materials and for people from many nations to come together.

Two Ngunawal sisters and artists, Jazz and Kristal featured with their artwork representing Sky Country. The image is taken from above and looks down on to the painting which covers a concrete plinth in the shape of a teardrop. The plinth is around 2m x 1.5m and around 40cm high. Image features blues, greens, a sun and many Cultural story telling elements on a black background.

The first artworks delivered under this program are installed in the North Wright Sustainable Precinct. The works are publicly accessible, available for all to see and enjoy. When we first established this program, a local Elder told SLA ‘I would love to see Ngunnawal artists and other First Nations artists come together on artworks and public pieces’. We are thrilled to say that this happened in the very first delivery under the program. Ngunawal artist, Jazz Matthews (Wilay Designs) and Dhanggati/Birrbay woman, Rebekah Weddell who has lived in Canberra for the past 13 years have each told stories of Sky Country in their works featured at North Wright. The site is atop a hill with clear night sky views and sits below Mount Stromlo and the observatory.

We invite you to visit the Precinct on Ian Mudie Lane in Wright, visit the two SLA display homes and take in the Sky Country inspired artworks.

Learn more about the artworks

Jazz Mathew (Wilay Designs), The Sky - Countries Guide, 2025

(Painted in-situ on a tear drop shaped concrete plinth outside an SLA demonstration home)

Jazz Matthews is a proud Ngunawal woman, artist and co-owner of Wilay Designs. Driven by passion and purpose, Jazz is dedicated in sharing her Aboriginal culture, drawing on family and personal experiences. She does digital designs, murals, paintings and workshops. Her focus extends to community and business projects. At the heart of Jazz’ work is a commitment to building positive and respectful relationships.

This artwork represents the deep connection between Aboriginal people and the sky, which often serves as a seasonal guide for hunting, gathering and cultural practices. The moon, stars and sun also shape the waterways and plant cycles.

Jazz Matthews artist portrait photo

As the seasons shift- the waterways and plant life here symbolise movement, growth and the ongoing relationship between people and Country. At the centre are some cultural tools and a meeting place around the fire to reflect cultural practices- sharing, storytelling and coming together. There are colours of Country, kangaroo tracks and pathways. This artwork captures the essence of Country and the importance of the sky.

Rebekah Weddell (Ginyaang Art), Mirriyn, 2025

(Vinyl wrap, artwork features on the large, reclaimed steel posts used for the leaf shaped shade structure in the park area)

Rebekah Weddell is an Aboriginal artist born on the Gold Coast and raised in Northern New South Wales. She is Dhanggati/Birrbay on her birth father’s side and Swiss German/Irish on her mother’s. Rebekah has been living on Ngunnawal Country for the past 13 years, raising her children and working as a Primary School teacher. She takes inspiration from her surroundings, recreating elements of Country and telling stories through colour, shape, and symbolic representation, in her signature style. Rebekah uses acrylic on canvas or digital renderings and creates art as a way of connecting to people, places and her culture.

Painting makes her ginyaang - happy.

Rebekah Weddell (Ginyaang Art), Mirriyn

This artwork captures the movement of star trails, illustrating the Earth’s rotation and the passing of time. Swirling patterns of light trace the path of celestial bodies, creating a sense of connection between past, present and future, and our enduring cultures. This work is also a nod to Van Gogh’s Starry Night, an artwork I strongly connected with as a small child. Each trail represents a moment in time, woven together to tell a story of renewal, continuity and connection. The colours represent the shifting skies from the last afternoon to night. The Brindabellas and other local mountains are depicted in a pale soft white, to represent their glow in the moonlight.