Wurun Senior Campus
interpretive storytelling / environmental graphics
Helping bring the vision of Wurundjeri Elders and First Nations artist Ash Firebrace to life at Fitzroy’s Wurun Senior Campus.
Working closely with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, project architects Grimshaw, and Ash Firebrace, I made sure each artwork was faithfully and respectfully realised, no matter how different the materials or fabrication methods.
Working closely with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, project architects Grimshaw, and Ash Firebrace, I made sure each artwork was faithfully and respectfully realised, no matter how different the materials or fabrication methods.
For the 15-metre vinyl mural, I composited a large-scale image collage that wove artwork, photography and narrative elements into one seamless installation. Under the conceptual guidance of Nina Read, Grimshaw’s graphic design manager, I produced and prepared the final artwork for the entry concourse, carefully working around every window, door, ledge and panel along the way.
Adapting First Nations artwork for the entryway’s laser-cut steel panels and the acoustic panels came with its own puzzle to solve. For the steel, sharp edges had to be softened and voids kept to a minimum width, so curious kids (and adults) couldn’t accidentally hurt themselves or get a finger caught. For the acoustic panels, illustrative elements needed to meet minimum diameter and width requirements, both to make fabrication possible and to ensure the illustration and background panels slotted together perfectly, like a puzzle.
Beyond designing the bluestone etching of Ash Firebrace’s artwork and a series of interpretive panels throughout the school, I also lent a hand with installation and on-site implementation.
The project went on to be recognised by the Victorian Schools Building Authority as the exemplar project for First Nations consultation in school design.
