Wadhangarii: a new public artwork in Bay Street, Double Bay
Published on 06 June 2025
Wadhangarii, pictured with artist Penny Evans
"Healthy Country heals people": a new public artwork inspired by the Coastal Banksia.
A stunning public artwork named Wadhangarii, the first commission in the Woollahra local area created by a First Nations artist, has been unveiled in Double Bay. The artwork has been placed at the end of Bay Street near the ferry wharf, Steyne Park playground and the popular harbour foreshore promenade.
Wadhangarii, meaning Coastal Banksia in the language of the Dharawal People, was created by First Nations artist Penny Evans and commissioned by Woollahra Council as part of the Bay Street Pedestrian Upgrade Project funded by the NSW Government’s Public Spaces Legacy Program.
The 3.8m high sculpture has been constructed using bronze, aluminium, stainless steel and a 2.2m high sandstone base. The word Wadhangarii referring to Coastal Banksia in language of the Dharawal People, is engraved on the base.
The artist Penny Evans is a descendant of the K/Gamilaroi people of northwest NSW.
Connections
"My Wadhangarii sculpture is about remembrance and is also a sentinel, marker and signpost for cultural values inherent in Country," Evans explains.
"The two arms connect harbour, coastal and neighbouring ecologies."
Mayor of Woollahra Councillor Sarah Swan and the artist Penny Evans unveiled the artwork on 6 June 2025.
"I'm pleased that Bay Street will be home to Woollahra Council's first permanent public artwork by a First Nations Artist. Its prominent position ensures it will be enjoyed by both residents and visitors, and will help to deepen connection to Woollahra's significant indigenous history," Mayor Swan said.
Mayor of Woollahra Councillor Sarah Swan unveiled the new sculpture, together with artist Penny Evans
Location of the new artwork
The artwork is installed in the recently upgraded Bay Street pedestrian area featuring new paving and pedestrian-only zones to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians. The addition of new garden beds and planting further enhanced the area as a popular location for people moving to and from the commercial centre and harbour foreshore area.
The Coastal Banksia is traditionally used by Indigenous Australians to carry flame and the species is known to bounce back after fires.
Symbolism
"Banksias thrive with regular cultural burning techniques, and for me, symbolise the importance of Aboriginal expertise in caring for Country," artist Penny Evans said.
"Cultural fire heals country. Healthy Country heals people."
Woollahra Council engaged First Nations Curator Dakota Dixon and public art consultants UAP to undertake the commission, in consultation with Council’s Public Art Panel.
The Public Art Panel noted the 'gateway location' on the foreshore of Double Bay was fitting for Councils’ first permanent public artwork by a First Nations artist, and a significant opportunity for recognition of Country and to deepen connection to reconciliation and First Nations perspectives, histories and understandings.
The Gadigal and Birrabirragal clans, of the Dharawal People, are the Traditional Custodians of the Dharawal Nation extending from Sydney Harbour to the Shoalhaven.
Woollahra Council acknowledges that we are on the land of the Gadigal and Birrabirragal people, the Traditional Custodians of the land. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.