Laing O'Rourke | Aboriginal Artwork Brief – Mural Sydney Office Building
It is with pleasure that I provide you with my artist brief for the creation of an Aboriginal art mural in the Laing O’Rourke new office space in Sydney, including a Welcome to Country written in both the Gadigal Language and English.
I am honoured to be considered for this creative journey and as an artist, enjoy the collaboration experienced, when connecting directly with people and organisations to design and create culturally appropriate, respectful Aboriginal Artwork that acknowledges first nations people and celebrates community, collaboration and partnerships.
Through visual design, vibrant colour palette and traditional story telling of symbolism in contemporary design, the artwork appeal will be widespread and invite the viewer to ponder and share in the unique and invaluable culture of our firsts nations people.
Complimented by a multi-skilled team, Saretta Art & Design Pty Ltd is equipped to delivery an excellent outcome across all aspects of the design and delivery of Fine Art public installations and can offer follow on services in graphic design and promotional requirements.
Our work ethic and philosophy are to operate and deliver excellence, with the creative journey only complete when deliverables meet the high expectation of our design team and are embraced and approved by our client.
Burbuga Mura - Rising Path
This vibrant and highly sand textured artwork shares the story of Laing O’Rourke and the heart of the business for people first. The traditional symbolism, set upon a pathway flowing across the mural, highlights the journeys taken across projects in Australia over the past 40 years, bringing a visual story line that is inclusive of all and celebrates the unique and age-old culture of our Nation’s First People.
Laing O’Rourke is reflected within the work by a large gathering circle made up of three interwoven people symbols in red, charcoal and yellow. This symbolism holds a significant five fold meaning within the work:
- Laing O’Rourke and people as the heart of the business
- We are one team
- Pays respect to Aboriginal people Past, Present & Future
- Laing O’Rourke’s commitment to advancing Aboriginal people, businesses and communities
- Highlights the three values of reconciliation - relationship, respect and opportunities
This sits upon a pathway that flows across the mural reflecting Laing O’Rourke’s journey of a strong family history, to current innovative projects and the continual growth of the company and its people into the future. Blue water imagery encompasses the path highlighting our coast-land and Sydney Harbour. It brings a special meaning to the shared cultures and relationships across the seas to Ireland and the United Kingdom through Laing O’Rourke.
Upon the rising pathway we see further people symbols including Elders, families and children. This highlights inclusion of all and a commitment to advancing Aboriginal people, closing the gap and reconciliation. Large gathering circles within the pathway highlight Laing O’Rourke projects, stakeholders and partnerships.
The artwork design sits on a backdrop of country, seen in the fine horizontal lines running across the entire artwork. This is reflective of country through the many songlines that run across our nation, linking Aboriginal people and Laing O’Rourke through the company’s footprint on country.
Building blocks towering at either end of the artwork and running across the base of the artwork represent:
- 150 years’ experience within Laing O’Rourke, the many milestones along the way and an organisation under-girded by creative building
- The interwoven blocks reflect excellent engineering and innovation
- Forty matching charcoal coloured blocks interwoven throughout the design represent 40 years since O’Rourke and Sons began operations
An acrylic panel within the artwork brings a traditional welcome to all. Its irregular form is reflective of the natural boundaries that shape each tribal groups’ country. These are determined by land forms such as lakes, rivers, mountains and valleys across Australia.