When we typically discuss Sydney’s build environment, there’s a growing understanding that development isn’t just about bricks and square meters. It’s about people. It is about places, and culture. And in Australia, especially on Gadigal land and across the wider Eora Nation, that means recognising and honouring First Nations Art Australia. And that too in ways that are more than symbolic. Murals, when done thoughtfully, offer a powerful opportunity. The opportunity to bring those stories to life on walls that are often otherwise silent.
But simply adding Aboriginal motifs to a wall doesn’t equal meaningful representation. If you’re a developer, council, or architect working on a new build or revitalisation project in Sydney, you might be facing a cetian dilemma. How do we include First Nations Mural in a way that’s authentic, respectful, and genuinely impactful?
Ways to Include Indigenous Art Sydney in Developments
Here are seven ways to do exactly that. These are rooted in collaboration, culture, and care.
1. Start With Consultation, Not Just Design Briefs
When you include a First Nations mural in your project, it shouldn’t begin with choosing a colour palette. This is a non-negotiable that, it should begin with people and their stories. The most important and foundational step is consulting with Traditional Custodians of the land your project sits on. In Sydney, that often means engaging with members of the Gadigal community or other appropriate local Elders.
This consultation process goes beyond ticking boxes. It’s about understanding the cultural significance of the site. It is also about listening to stories about Country. After that, seeking permission to represent those stories in a visual form. This stage sets the tone for the entire project and ensures any mural that follows isn’t imposed onto the space but emerges from it.
2. Engage First Nations Artists And Pay Them Properly
Too often, design decisions get made in boardrooms. They occur without the input of the artists who will bring them to life. When it comes to First Nations murals, it’s critical that the work is created by a Sydney mural artist who is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. If not them, then it should be made in close collaboration with them. Not only does this ensure the work is grounded in lived experience and cultural knowledge, it also supports the incredible creative talent that exists within Aboriginal communities.
Look for artists or art collectives who already have experience working on public murals or community-engaged projects. And make sure the budget reflects the full scope of their contribution. This isn’t just about paint on a wall, it’s about intellectual property, cultural rights, and storytelling that holds deep meaning.
At Paint The Town Murals, we work with a range of First Nations artists, always ensuring their vision is front and centre and that they are respected and compensated at industry-standard rates or above.
3. Respect Cultural Protocols and Story Ownership
Not all stories are for public sharing and not all imagery can be used freely. In Aboriginal culture, certain symbols, stories, or designs may be specific to particular Nations, families, or individuals. Others may be sacred or restricted in how they can be depicted.
That’s why it’s crucial to work closely with artists and cultural advisors to ensure all content used in a mural is appropriate for its context. This means avoiding generic dot paintings or pan-Aboriginal motifs that have no connection to the local community. Instead, seek work that’s rooted in local Dreaming stories, knowledge of Country, or even contemporary expressions of identity and resistance.
Following protocol is about cultural safety and long-term respect.
4. Think Beyond the ‘Feature Wall’
A common mistake in development projects is relegating murals to a single, out-of-the-way wall often used as a symbolic gesture or PR checkbox. But First Nations murals should be integrated into the fabric of the development itself, not tacked on as decoration.
Consider how a mural can become a focal point within a public plaza, entryway, stairwell, or community gathering space. Better yet, how can the artwork form part of a visual journey through the site connecting different spaces, telling a story across time, and engaging visitors at every turn?
In Sydney’s increasingly vertical cityscape, murals also offer an incredible opportunity for large-scale storytelling on high-rise exteriors, car parks, and shared community infrastructure ensuring visibility and impact.
5. Co-Design with Community for Real Connection
When murals like public art Sydney are co-designed with local Aboriginal communities, they carry a resonance that can’t be manufactured. This might look like holding a series of creative workshops during the early planning phase of your project inviting young people, Elders, and families to share stories, sketches, and ideas with the artist.
Through this process, a mural becomes more than just a commissioned artwork. It becomes a community statement. It becomes celebrated, and protected by those it represents. This can be particularly powerful in new housing developments, public schools, and civic spaces where belonging and identity are central to the community’s sense of place.
At Paint The Town Murals, we support this kind of engagement through our R&D and consultation services, ensuring artists are well-resourced to listen and respond, not just create.
6. Use Materials and Placement That Respect the Art Long-Term
Creating a First Nations mural also means planning for its longevity. That means using high-quality paints, protective coatings (such as anti-graffiti varnish), and proper site preparation to ensure the mural doesn’t fade, peel, or become damaged within a few years.
Equally important is lighting and signage ensuring the work can be seen clearly, at all hours, and is accompanied by a plaque or panel that respectfully acknowledges the artist, the story behind the mural, and the Country it honours.
This elevates the mural from decoration to cultural asset.
7. Let the Mural Lead to Further Cultural Engagement
Including a First Nations mural shouldn’t be the end of your cultural inclusion, it should be the beginning. Use it as a platform to open up larger conversations within your development about Aboriginal culture, history, and sovereignty.
This could look like:
- Hosting an unveiling or smoking ceremony in collaboration with Traditional Custodians
- Incorporating QR codes that link to oral histories, videos, or artist interviews
- Commissioning additional wayfinding artwork or signage using the same visual language
- Offering cultural competency training for your team, especially those in design and decision-making roles
When done meaningfully, the mural becomes a launchpad for deeper engagement.
Last Words
Sydney is a city with deep roots. It is much deeper than the skyline lets on. As makers of the city there’s a responsibility to honour those roots with care, creativity, and respect.
First Nations murals offer a unique way to do that. But only when they’re created through genuine relationships, cultural protocols, and long-term vision. At Paint The Town Murals, we believe in artwork that not only transforms spaces but also carries stories. It has to spark conversations, and strengthen community connection.
If you’re ready to include a First Nations mural in your next Sydney development, we’d love to help you do it the right way.