Aboriginal Murals: Working in Genuine Collaboration with Indigenous Artists
We don’t paint “Aboriginal-style” artwork in-house. When a mural project calls for Aboriginal cultural content, we bring in real Indigenous artists to create or co-create that work — so what goes on the wall is authentic, not an imitation.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout this nation and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures, and to Elders past, present and emerging.
Our Approach
Over several years of school, hospital and public mural projects, we’ve built working relationships with Indigenous artists who we bring in specifically for the Aboriginal cultural elements of a design — rather than attempting to replicate that work ourselves.
01
We collaborate, we don’t imitate
Aboriginal cultural motifs and storytelling in our murals are created by the Indigenous artists we work with, not by our general mural team.
02
Design developed through consultation
The Indigenous elements of a mural are designed in consultation with the collaborating artist, so the imagery and story are theirs.
03
Artists credited on their work
Where an Indigenous artist has contributed to a project, we credit them for that contribution rather than presenting it as generic in-house work.
Featured Collaborations
Two recent projects show how this works in practice.
School Mural
Madang Ave Public School
In collaboration with Indigenous artist Michael Fardon
As part of a wider mural program across the school, a dedicated Indigenous Collaboration Mural was created with Michael Fardon, featuring a bat, owl and possum representing different classes within the school. The design embeds cultural storytelling developed through consultation with Michael, strengthening cultural representation on campus while connecting students to identity and story.
School Mural
Rooty Hill Public School
In collaboration with Burruguu Art
For a nature-inspired mural featuring a Blue Fairy Wren, kangaroos and a Rainbow Lorikeet, our team member from Burruguu Art incorporated Indigenous art elements into the design — adding animal footprints within tree silhouettes, placed along the classroom lines as a visual guide for students lining up.
Other Schools & Sites We’ve Collaborated On
Beyond these two featured projects, we’ve worked with the same collaborating artists on Indigenous mural elements at:
Birrong Public SchoolWith Burruguu Art
Lethbridge Park Public SchoolWith Burruguu Art
Kingsgrove Public SchoolWith Burruguu Art
Old Guildford Public SchoolWith Burruguu Art
Berala Public SchoolWith Burruguu Art
Royal North Shore HospitalWith Michael Fardon
Common Questions
Do you create Aboriginal-style art yourselves?
No. For any project involving Aboriginal cultural content or motifs, we bring in an Indigenous artist to create or co-create that work, rather than having our general mural team produce it.
Which artists do you usually collaborate with?
We’ve worked with Burruguu Art and with artist Michael Fardon on a number of school and public mural projects — see the featured projects above.
Can you organise this for our school or council mural?
Yes. Tell us about the site and what you have in mind, and we’ll talk through how a collaboration with an Indigenous artist could work for your project.
How does this fit with your other mural services?
An Indigenous collaboration is usually one element within a broader mural — for example alongside wildlife or landscape artwork — rather than the whole project. See our school mural and portfolio pages for the wider context.
Planning a Mural with Indigenous Cultural Content?
Get in touch and we’ll talk through how a genuine collaboration with an Indigenous artist could work for your school, council or site.
