The partnership spans the Flying Art Series, the design of Qantas’ first Reconciliation Action Plans, and the textile of Qantas’ long-running uniform. Called Wirriyarra, it means ‘My Spirit Home’ in Yanyuwa, from our co-founder John Moriarty’s hometown of Borroloola, NT.
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.
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Qantas - Balarinji
Flying Art Series
Wunala Dreaming
Wunala Dreaming, meaning kangaroo in the Yanyuwa language spoken by families in the Northern Territory’s Gulf of Carpentaria, celebrated the ceremony tracks of the kangaroo spirit ancestors and the continuation of all living things in the harmony of nature.
This artwork from the Balarinji Design Collection held by the National Museum of Australia appeared on two Qantas 747-400 (VH-OJB) from 1994 until 2003.
Nalanji Dreaming
Nalanji meaning ‘Our Place’, was a celebration of the balance of nature in Australia and reflected the lush colour palette of tropical Australia.
This artwork from the Balarinji Design Collection held by the National Museum of Australia appeared on a Qantas 747-300 from 1995 up until the aircraft was retired in 2005.
Yananyi Dreaming
Yananyi Dreaming was a 737 aircraft launched in 2002. It drew on the work of Pitjantjatjara artist Rene Kulitja who painted her dramatic country surrounding Uluru.
The design shows pathways leading to the symbol of Uluru, illustrated as both a physical form, and as an abstract representation of concentric circles.
Mendoowoorrji
Inspired by the work of the late West Australian Gija painter, Paddy Bedford, Mendoowoorrji is an interpretation of the 2005 painting ‘Medicine Pocket’ which captures the essence of Bedford’s mother’s country in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia.
The Mendoowoorrji 737 was delivered to Qantas in 2013, taking over 950-person hours to complete over a five-day period. It remains in the Qantas fleet today.
Emily Kame Kngwarreye
In 2018 Balarinji welcomed the fifth aircraft design in the Qantas-Balarinji Flying Art Series, Emily Kame Kngwarreye 787 Dreamliner. Balarinji created the fuselage design based on the internationally renowned artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye’s 1991 painting ‘Yam Dreaming’.
More than 5000 individual dots identical in shape and placement to the original painting, were meticulously applied to achieve the sight lines from the ground and the air of a faithful representation of the original painting. The colours draw from Emily’s palette, and reflect the Central Australian landscape of her birth and life. Best practice Intellectual Property management ensured the integrity of the art was preserved in translation.
Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa
The sixth aircraft in the Qantas-Balarinji Flying Art Series was launched in 2023, the beautiful A220 Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa.
Balarinji created the fuselage design which featured the artwork of renowned Pitjantjatjara artist Maringka Baker, Minyma Kutjara Tjukurpa tells the Creation story of the Two Sisters.
The aircraft was painted by Airbus in Mirabel, Canada, taking over 14 days to complete during October 2023. It features more than 20,000 dots, the largest quantity of pixels Airbus has ever painted onto an aircraft.
