Newly commissioned digital artworks from Western Australian Aboriginal artists and content producers are front and centre at WA Museum Boola Bardip as part of the Museum’s public art program.

Showing on the Hackett Hall and Francis Street façades at WA Museum Boola Bardip, the digital works are part of a public art program established during the $400 million museum redevelopment.

The program exposes emerging and established artists and their work to diverse audiences and includes their work in the WA Museum collection.

Stage Three of the program features work from Brad Coleman, Laurel Nannup, Brett Nannup, Patrick Carter and Big hART, these works explore themes of the Stolen Generation, Nyoongar culture, and matriarchal leadership.

Animator Brad Coleman worked with renowned Nyoongar artists Laurel and Brett Nannup to animate Laurel's woodcuts, linocuts and etching prints in a piece titled Another Story To Tell, reflecting her experience as a Stolen Generation survivor.

Patrick Carter is a Nyoongar interdisciplinary artist; in collaboration with mentors, renowned Ballardong Nyoongar actor Kelton Pell and Sam Fox, Patrick has developed Kaya Boodja. The work focuses on Carter’s artistic response to Country and includes painting, performance, dance, song and animation of painted works.

Content producer Big hART filmed and created two new digital artworks on Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi country in the Pilbara using film, animation, photography and audio.

Jarda Bura, Gurri Bura, Jarda Ngarli, Gurri Ngarli (Senior Woman, Young Woman) highlights women’s stories of strength and the knowledge and leadership they draw from the relationships between mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters and aunties.

Wangaba Barnigu, Wangabani (Staying Alive) is inspired by exploring and observing local plants, trees and wildflowers from Country through photography and digital drawing. This film features the artwork and photography of young women from Roebourne.

The WA Museum engaged the Aboriginal Art Centre Hub Western Australia (AACHWA) to identify and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists for the program.

Stage Four, the final stage of this public art series, has been commissioned and will commence screening in 2025.

Visitors to WA Museum Boola Bardip and Perth Cultural Centre can view the creative works daily on the external Hackett Hall façade in the Perth Cultural Centre and the large ribbon screen on Francis Street.

For more information visit https://museum.wa.gov.au/digital-art-project