Burwood Park Flags: Yenmara bembul-ra (walking on earth)
Artists: JK Koori Designs (Jasmine Sarin) and Yukupin (Toby Bishop)
In 2023 Burwood Council commissioned Kamilaroi and Jerrinja artist Jasmine Sarin and Kungarakan artist Toby Bishop to design 12 flags for Burwood Park to reference First Nations history and culture. Working with Local Wangal Elder Kerrie Kenton, Sarin and Bishop developed the series Yenmara bembul-ra (walking on earth).
Artist statement:
This series of artwork combined the elements and knowledge from both our bodies of work and what we know about Wangal Country and ancient tracks. We wanted to acknowledge the interwoven connection to Country with hint of flora, earth, people and culture within each flag design. To do this we used the natural line work of scribbly gums as a main feature throughout all the flags. This is in reference to the crisscrossed tracks which formed trade, social and ceremonial networks for the Wangal People. Each flag has a changing in-line detail which compliments, and is in synergy with, the natural shaopes of the scribbly gum tracks. These in-lines signify the ongoing connection to stories and culture of Wangal People. Their stories, like all of us mob, are linked and embedded within the physical surroundings of mother earth. The repeating lines represent the fluidity of the meandering waterways along the Parramatta River.
The colours are taken from inspiration of the incredibly diverse flora that encompasses the area, from wattles and eucalypts, lily pillies, acacias and the magnificent waratah. With the added inclusion of blue hues, we are able to connect sky and water country. All the parts of country signify a change in the seasons, six seasons to be exact, that play a vital role in governing the cultural connection to country and the responsibility and skill to care for it.
This project was funded through the Parramatta Rd Urban Amenity Improvement Program (PRUAIP) from the NSW Government. PRUAIP is a $198 million initiative to improve open space and active transport links along the Parramatta Road corridor. Burwood Council is one of six Councils including Strathfield, Inner West, Canada Bay, Parramatta and Cumberland delivering a total of 32 projects in and around Parramatta Road. This is part of the government’s commitment to revitalising precincts between the Inner west and Parramatta.
For more information on the Parramatta Road Urban Amenity Improvement Program click here.
As a part of this program Burwood Council has delivered a series of cycle paths which link key recreational sites from Canada Bay to Burwood through Parramatta Road. These cycle paths will also improve connection between Burwood’s local parks and facilities.
Public art also has a key role to play in supporting the growth of The Corridor and establishing a sense of place for the community. Through PRUAIP and with the support of Create NSW, Burwood Council has received funding for a series of six public art commissions. The program of works is guided by the PRUAIP Public Art Framework developed by Create NSW and the Burwood Council Public Art Policy.
Proudly Funded by the NSW Government