When heading down South Road, walkers, cyclists and motorists can view some magnificent First Nation’s artwork dotting the intersections on our recently completed South Road Upgrade.
Inspired by the wildlife and landscape of the Bunurong people’s traditional lands around Port Phillip Bay, we’ve proudly partnered with First Nation's art consultancy Kaptify to create signal box art for our South Road Upgrade.
Kaptify director and artist Adam Magennis is proud to see these pieces installed on the signal boxes and showcase the historical and cultural heritage of the Bunurong people and their traditional lands.
“Putting public art in public spaces means a lot for myself as a Bunurong artist – as we get to express and tell stories of our country,” Magennis said.
“Art creates our voice in terms of interpretation which is a really significant part of education about Bunurong culture. Art doesn’t come from a gallery; art can be in all difference spaces."
As part of the artwork installation there are 5 pieces you can see on the South Road Upgrade, celebrating the landmarks, traditions, animals and plant life that make up the local Bunurong area.
- Supertubes – coastal theme, a wave break at Rye as well as elements of the Bayside area with the artwork representing the fire-stick farming and how the Bunurong people managed the country. This artwork is over 20 years old, which Adam continues adding to with over 100 layers of colours now part of the ever-evolving piece.
- Bunurong Feathers – Highlighting the majestic birds of the region, Bunurong Feathers aptly celebrates the feathers from country and the birds that call the Sandbelt Heath their home.
- Scorpius, Waerrener and the Moonah – Named for 3 important elements for local communities, Scorpius, Waerrener and the Moonah celebrates the rich history of the Bunurong sea country. The Moonah tree is an important and symbolic tree for Bunurong women, Scorpius is the winter constellation that maps out Naarm, while the Waerrener shell is synonymous around the Bayside area and was a popular shellfish eaten by the Bunurong people.
- Scorpius – a true reflection of Scorpius the constellation and mapping the area of the country through the Moorabbin area, through from St Kilda all the way to Point Nepean on the eastern side of the bay.
- Yeah Nah – Installed on top of each of the other 4 South Road artwork signal boxes, this piece is inspired by the butterflies which emerge during Bareep (or Spring) in Boonwurrung language.
The artwork installation caps off the South Road Upgrade as our team in October 2022 completed major works on 5 intersections on South Road between Warrigal Road and Nepean Highway in Moorabbin, improving commuting time and driving conditions for 40,000 daily road users.
We constructed additional right turn lanes at Nepean Highway and East Boundary Road intersections, 2 pedestrian crossings installed at Tucker Road and Bignell Road intersections, increased capacity for vehicles turning onto Nepean Highway and East Boundary Road and upgraded bicycle paths between South Road and Cummins Road on the Nepean Highway.
For further information on Kaptify visit their website.
Find out more about the South Road Upgrade.