The North Sydney Olympic Pool site is located on the lands of the Cammeraygal people, part of the Eora Nation. Prior to colonisation, this harbourside location formed part of a rich cultural landscape used for fishing, gathering, and movement along Sydney Harbour for thousands of years. The site has since undergone significant transformation from Aboriginal Country, to industrial land associated with the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to its current use as a civic recreational facility.
This public art project seeks to acknowledge and centre the site's layered history through a First Nations-led approach. This project is not solely about commemoration, it is an opportunity to restore visibility to stories that have been disrupted, and to embed First Nations knowledge and presence within a prominent civic site.
Council is seeking a First Nations artist or artistic team to deliver a a culturally grounded and community informed exploration of the site’s Aboriginal history, with a focus on:
- Pre-colonial use of the harbour foreshore by the Cammeraygal people
- Impacts of colonisation and transformation of the site
- Ongoing connection to Country and cultural continuity
This project should prioritise:
- Cultural authority and appropriate consultation
- Storytelling led by First Nations voices
- Accessibility to a broad public audience
Cultural governance and protocols for this project
- The project must be First Nations-led
- Artists must demonstrate cultural connection and authority to work on this Country, or a clear and respectful approach to collaboration with Cammeraygal/Eora stakeholders
- Appropriate consultation with local Aboriginal stakeholders will be required
- Council will support introductions where appropriate
- North Sydney Council commits to respect and uphold Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights (ICIP).
Project Budget
The total project budget is $80,000 (ex GST) including artist fees and installation costs.
Curatorial framework
Artists are encouraged to consider:
- Country as primary: The harbour, tides, and foreshore as living systems
- Layered histories: Aboriginal presence, disruption, and resilience
- Visibility vs subtlety: How truth-telling can be both embedded and explicit
- Contemporary practice: Avoiding static or purely “heritage” interpretations
What we are looking for
- Strong conceptual response grounded in Country
- Experience in public art and/or cultural storytelling
- Ability to navigate complex histories with sensitivity and clarity
- Work that is enduring, culturally respectful, and publicly engaging
Artwork outcomes and approach
Council is open to a range of artistic approaches for this commission and the format may include (not prescriptive):
- Interpretive text or signage
- Audio works or digital storytelling
- Embedded narratives within the built environment
- Temporary or permanent installations
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