A Shared Story: Australia–Malaysia 70th Anniversary Mural Australian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur

Curated and produced by aMBUSH Gallery, this significant public artwork at the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur was delivered to mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Malaysia. Installed along the chancery’s front perimeter, the 19-metre mural brings together Australian Aboriginal artist Professor Wayne Quilliam and Malaysian Orang Asli artist Shaq Koyok in a deeply considered cross-cultural collaboration.

Developed throughout 2025, the work draws on Quilliam’s Palawa heritage, referencing the story of Bunjil, the great wedge-tailed eagle who created the earth and sky. These painted forms are layered with motifs inspired by traditional Temuan weaving from Koyok’s community, creating a visual dialogue grounded in shared connections to Country, culture and ancestral knowledge.

Materiality plays a central role in the project. The mural incorporates Australian ochre, a natural earth pigment used in First Nations practices for thousands of years, alongside innovative Malaysian-made ECOPEAL panels produced from recycled drink containers. Together, these elements reinforce the work’s focus on sustainability, environment and cultural continuity.

Symbolising the enduring relationship between Australia and Malaysia, the mural reflects a partnership built on mutual respect, shared histories and ongoing exchange between First Nations communities. It stands not only as a marker of this milestone moment, but as a forward-looking expression of collaboration and unity.

For aMBUSH Gallery, the project represents a meaningful milestone, continuing an ongoing relationship with Professor Wayne Quilliam while delivering a major international commission of cultural significance.