The two-day gathering, barangga, marks the third instalment of a community engagement series centred around First Nations design. Organised by multidisciplinary creative and founder of mili mili, Nicole Monks, alongside curators Coby Edgar and Zoe Sims, the event promotes collaboration and discussion on design as a form of cultural knowledge.

The theme for 2024 explores how Cultural Custodians adapt significant elements of Country into public spaces. The event features 35 presenters, including artists, architects, designers and government representatives in panel discussions designed to foster meaningful engagement with First Nations creativity in the public art sector.

Day one, open only to First Nations participants, provides a safe space for candid dialogue. Day two then welcomes all participants, encouraging cross-cultural exchanges on policy, public art practices and collaboration. Sessions will examine the complexities of working with Country, highlight successful public art projects and offer guidance for early-career designers entering the field.

Day one, exclusively for First Nations participants, will include sessions such as ‘Connecting with Country on Someone Else’s Country,’ discussing the complexities of Community consultation and collaboration with local Custodians when working on someone else’s Country. ‘Supporting One Another, Working with Community,’ meanwhile, explores the significance of collaborative methodologies and respectful consultation when developing projects with and for Community.  

Turning to day two, open to all, the panel on ‘Connecting with Country: Policy & Implementation’ will feature Megan Cope, Elle Davidson, Daniéle Hromek, Lily Keenan, Rory Toomey and Bridgette Uren as they discuss the intersection of government policy, architecture and independent practices when engaging First Nations creatives in the public art sector. Afternoon sessions will then address the challenges and tensions that may occur when creating, facilitating and presenting First Nations practices for the public domain, as well as practical tips for early-career designers on entering the public art sector.

The program title, barangga, derives from the Dharawal word for ‘large vessel’ or ‘island.’ It symbolises the importance of design in First Nations culture and the collective space it creates for community. The gathering is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and will be held at UNSW Art & Design in Paddington from 9am-4pm on Friday 25^th and Saturday 26 October, 2024. Tickets are free and registration is open online – available here for day one and here for day two.

UNSW Galleries
artdesign.unsw.edu.au