Level 12

Hanging from the ceiling by the lobby area is weaving artwork on display – Kungari (Black Swan).

The weaving artwork hanging above is a Ngaitye (totem) of Aunty Noreen Kartinyeri.

The artwork was produced by Aunty Ellen Trevorrow and Jelina Haines.

Central to Ngarrindjeri culture is the interconnected link to the Ngurunderi ancestor and its creation stories. Animal totems are believed to be the descendants of the Dreamtime. Each clan family belonging to the group is responsible for the caring of their totem. The caring for the totem consists of the proper management of local resources in ensuring the survival of the Ngaitye (totem) and not raided to the point of extinction, but also the spiritual management of all the ceremonies necessary to ensure the survival of Ngarrindjeri Ngaitye (totem).

As you walk by the meeting rooms check out the artwork on the glass walls. The artwork depicts flora and fauna which belong to our South Australian waterways. Hidden within this landscape are many iconic birds including the Glossy White Ibis also known as ‘Tjilbruke’ in the language of the Kaurna peoples.

The artwork was produced by Ngarrindjeri man, Allan Sumner.

Once you’ve entered the floor space, from the kitchen area, right around the floor plan even past both stationery rooms and right up to the most southern floor entrance/ exit door, you’ll see on the ceiling the artwork by the Seven Sisters Songlines.

The Seven Sisters Songline and Tjukurpa is a significant one for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Language Groups but it is of particular significance to Anangu. It is a story that celebrates the resilience, trust, and courageousness of women, as well as an instructive and challenging story about how we interact with one another.

These design concepts celebrate the sisters themselves, as well as the significant sites within the landscape that are forged in the wake of the Seven Sisters as they work together to escape Wati Nyura and his shape-shifting trickery.

The design speaks to the landscape and sites created through the sister’s journey.

The artwork was produced by Elizabeth Close in 2021.

Learn more and read the artists' biographies.

Pimelinki

bim-el-in-gee

Nguku

ngoo-goo

Kawaku

gah-wah-goo

Niwitki

ni-wit-kee

Karrarru

kah-rrah-rroo