Bajirru! there you all are, hello! From the Yanyuwa language of Balarinji’s origin community Borroloola NT
Jinangu awara wabarrangu barra kalu-wingka marnijinju wabudala kari-nguthundawabarrangu jinangu Australia li-wulu marnaji barra liyi-Yanyuwawu awara li-Marranbala li-Arrwangala li-Gudanji jinangu awara Burrulula marnaji yamulhu
Our Country we belong to is Borroloola. Yanyuwa, Marra, Gudanji and Garrawa people.We welcome everyone to this land Australia.
Yanyuwa elder Samuel Evans Jamika
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Balarinji weaves Dharug culture into the fabric of Australia’s newest airport – Western Sydney International

#Balarinji client news #Branding & design #Designing with Country #Public Art & Curatorial
Date
26.10.2026
Related links
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It was a historic moment for our team to attend the official launch of Western Sydney International Airport and to celebrate Balarinji’s work to embed authentic local Dharug culture, language, and across Australia’s newest airport precinct.

Balarinji first provided key cultural design principles with Woods Bagot for the 2019 design competition, and then returned with Woods Bagot for design development in 2021. Balarinji was subsequently appointed by WSI in 2023 to develop a detailed Place narrative and Designing with Country framework in co-design with locally-connected Aboriginal knowledge holders and community-endorsed artists. This included the airport precinct’s overarching theme, ‘Warami – Country is Life’— a traditional Dharug welcome and safe passages to visitors.

Ros Moriarty, Managing Director of Balarinji said, “We’ve been pleased to work with Western Sydney International Airport to embed Country at beautiful touchpoints.” 

“Through co-design and continuous collaboration with locally-connected Aboriginal knowledge holders and artists, Balarinji has woven significant Aboriginal narratives—including the major public artwork ‘Ngaliya Muru’, a Digital Welcome to Country and a dedicated First Nations Visual Identity—into the fabric of the precinct. It has been a privilege to help shape the story of Australia’s newest airport to warmly welcome travellers while deeply respecting the enduring living culture, identity, and protocols of Dharug Country.”

Major public artwork

Ngaliya Muru (Relational Paths Lighting the Way)

Co-created by Dharug/Muringong artist Venessa Possum and Balarinji Studio, this gateway public artwork transforms the Warami Drive airport bridge, pedestrian bridge, and adjacent retaining walls into a landmark cultural experience. Spanning 120 square metres of layered steel screening with 109 custom laser-cut panels and a 112 square metre mural, the design translates Venessa Possum’s original watercolour paintings of Dharug waterways, Sky Country, and native species. Integrated fibre optic lighting illuminates the structure at night to echo the shimmer of starlight on water.

Venessa Possum said, “This artwork is a continuum of warunggad (ancestral presences) which teaches us the importance of honouring relational pathways and the cultural responsibility to share deeply held values across Ngurra (Country).”

Digital Welcome to Country

Created in collaboration with Studio Gilay and local language holders, an immersive video experience welcomes and farewells passengers moving through baggage claim in the Arrivals Hall, celebrating local Dharug language and Australia’s broader Aboriginal cultural diversity.

First Nations Visual Identity

Co-designed with Dharug/Ngemba artist Jamie Eastwood, Balarinji developed a visual identity system that complements the core WSI Brand Identity across print, digital, events, promotional items, staff uniforms and the design of WSI’s Reconciliation Action Plan. Inspired by Eastwood’s artwork Dharug Nura, triangular motifs represent the beating heart of Dharug Country in a Sky Country colour palette.

Jamie Eastwood said, “This Country is a living entity that connects us all from its spiritual waterways, our ancient landscape, and sightlines and the Sky Country above us embraces us all.”