The work of Wiradjuri Elder, artist and educator Uncle David Dunn (Gaagang) has transformed the Pearce St entrance to Willow Park with two captivating murals that bring together stories of Country, community and connection.
Community ‘I Spy’ and Creation of House Creek invite visitors into an artistic landscape that celebrates both cultural heritage and the people who shape this vibrant place.
David shared the guiding principle of these works as an invitation to “walk gently on the land, respecting the past, appreciating the present and looking forward to a future where our cultures and traditions continue to thrive.”
As an outcome, the vibrantly coloured, large-scale murals see people and places become part of the story in a beautiful display of togetherness.
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Throughout the creative process, David was passionate about utilising Community ‘I Spy to tell the stories of the local people who bring Willow Park to life.
Each day, he spent time chatting with passersby, using those conversations to craft symbols of the community and everyday life to feature throughout the mural.
“When people talked to me while I was creating the mural, those conversations became a picture in my head and they became art pieces in the mural later on,” David shared with Heidi from Friends of Willow Park.
This approach resulted in a wide array of figures proudly taking their place in the work, including First Nations people, families, skateboarders, gardeners, walkers, carers and individuals of all ages.
This spirit of integrating community connection into the murals also extended beyond David’s paintbrush.
He invited members of the public to write their own messages of encouragement and hope along the top of the mural, offering sentiments to inspire both current and future generations.
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Through this welcoming and interactive process, David’s work encourages viewers to look closely, to recognise others and to see themselves form part of this superb demonstration of community.
“I love talking to people, so the inspiration is the people,” he shared.
“When I’ve talked with someone, I get to know a little more about that person and they go on the wall because I’ve learned something about their culture and their heritage.”
“Every person that walks past gets to see themselves in the mural.”
David’s connection to the current site extends beyond the weeks spent creating the latest works. Nearly a decade earlier, he was responsible for the original mural in the same location.
The opportunity to return to this space allowed him to integrate subtle references to his earlier design while creating a new masterpiece of captivating Indigenous art for Wodonga.
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The concept of Country and belonging is deeply embedded in both murals, bringing together physical lands, waterways, flora and fauna with harmony, resilience and vitality. As such, each piece reflects a deep connection between the natural world and the cultural traditions of the Wiradjuri people.
Public art plays a powerful role in telling the many stories of a community, and each of these creations are shining examples, bringing together the many cultures of Wodonga’s identity into one harmonious expression.
David’s murals are proudly brought to the community by Friends of Willow Park, with support from Wodonga Council.
Visitors to Willow Park are encouraged to take a moment to explore these vibrant artworks and discover the many stories woven through David’s creativity.