People. Places. Culture.
Young Indigenous siblings and artists Noni and David Cragg have created the large-scale outdoor exhibition, People. Places. Culture, painting their family’s past and their community’s future in a series of brilliant rainbow-coloured landscapes and portraits.
Located at 388 George Street in Sydney’s CBD, this public art installation sweeps North to South along the coast of New South Wales, honouring sacred mountains, valleys and waterways, and depicting idyllic places bursting with diamond pythons, wild flowers and soaring skies. They also celebrate the lives of some of Australia’s brightest First Nations stars, including dancer and activist Amrita Hepi, renowned artist and surfer Otis Carey, and Bangarra dancer Waanagenga.
The brother and sister duo were inspired by their First Nations, Scottish and Irish background, with each painting telling a story – some sentimental, others painful and hidden.
From their mother’s memories of attending anti-logging protests at Terania Creek in the 1970s to their Pop teaching them about bushcraft and bushfoods in Bonny Hills, the works are about connections to the land. They are places filled with totems, joy, heartache, memories, and stunning flora and fauna.
A classically trained painter, Noni studied at the National Art School in Sydney and has exhibited in a number of solo and group shows, developing a reputation for her colourful, intricate portraits.David has a long background in graphic design and street art, having worked with some of Australia’s leading artists in this area, and studying at Bradfield Design College and the Design Centre in Enmore.The pair have been painting and drawing together since they were children and have previously collaborated on shows, but this is their largest to date.
People. Places. Culture. is an initiative of Arts Brookfield who bring public spaces to life with world-class cultural experiences at Brookfield’s premier office properties around the world. The project has been curated and produced by aMBUSH Gallery and will be on display for approximately 12 months, bringing a free, outdoor art gallery to the people of Sydney.
