Overview
STAGE ONE: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
The City of Parramatta invites First Nations artists with a connection to Greater Western Sydney to create a 2D artwork for balustrades along the 4 km Duck River Nature Trail on Dharug Country. Guided by Traditional Custodians, this commission is an opportunity to create a substantial public artwork that responds to Duck River as living Country.
Please see attached the Artist Brief for full details on project scope, deliverables and requirements. All submissions are assessed against the EOI mandatory and qualitative Selection Criteria. A short list of up to three (3) suitably qualified artists will be selected.
STAGE TWO: CONCEPT DESIGN
Up to three (3) artists will be shortlisted and invited to develop a concept design in response to the Stage Two Concept Design Criteria. An Artist Selection Panel will assess each concept design against the qualitative selection criteria and recommend the preferred artist for the commission. Each shortlisted artist will receive a $2,000 ex GST honorarium for preparing their concept design proposal.
Project Context
The Duck River Nature Trail on Dharug Country will link Duck River and Parramatta River, creating a walking and cycling corridor with paths, boardwalks, bridges, ecological planting and rest areas that improve access and environmental conditions.
Council is working with Traditional Custodians to guide the public art process, ensuring it respects Dharug Country and foregrounds First Nations cultural expression.
Responding to the Curatorial Vision, “What does Country want to tell us?”, Council seeks a First Nations artist to design artwork for both riverbanks. The Eastern Riverbank will be delivered first, with the Western subject to future funding. The artist will supply vector files and advise during fabrication and installation in 2027–2028.
Curatorial Vision
“What does Country want to tell us?” is the central question offered by Traditional Custodians to guide the Artist’s response. Rather than prescribing a fixed narrative or asking the Artist to speak for Country, this question invites the Artist to listen carefully and respond respectfully to Duck River as living Country—to her stories, rhythms, ecologies and enduring cultural presence. The artwork should encourage visitors to slow down, pay attention to place and recognise the strength and continuity of Country despite the significant impacts of industrialisation.
The industrial histories of Silverwater and Rosehill have left visible traces on the river corridor and its ecology. Yet Country continues to hold beauty, strength, memory and cultural meaning. The Artist is invited to develop a response grounded in careful observation, cultural respect and deep engagement with place, guided by the knowledge and cultural authority of Traditional Custodians.
Traditional Custodians have identified return as a key theme: a return towards balance and a deeper, reciprocal relationship with land and water. In this industrially altered landscape, the artwork may reflect disruption, continuity and renewal, encouraging responsibility and care for Country. Guided by consultation with Traditional Custodians and the cultural knowledge they choose to share, the work may support reflection, reconnection and hope for the waterways and surrounding lands.
Artist Brief
The public art opportunity is to integrate 2D artwork into selected sections of the new nature trail balustrades, particularly where barriers are required near the waterline or other fall-risk areas.
The boardwalk balustrades feature 1200mm H x ~1800mm W mesh panels between posts. These panels will form the primary canvas for the artwork, with potential treatments including laser-cut or perforated panels and contour-cut elements attached to the mesh. Based on current cost estimates Council anticipates that the public art will be incorporated intermittently across the following lengths of boardwalk:
STAGE ONE - EASTERN RIVERBANK
- 1,400 linear metres of balustrade, inclusive of both left-hand and right-hand sides. This could result in up to 90 panels across the 1,400 linear metres. *Indicative quantity.
STAGE TWO - WESTERN RIVERBANK
- 489 linear metres of boardwalk inclusive of both left-hand and right-hand sides. This could result in up to 32 panels across the 489 linear metres. *Indicative quantity.
Artist Deliverables and Responsibilities
This is an opportunity for the selected artist to guide their work from first concept through to installation, working closely with Council and Traditional Custodians to create a lasting artwork on Country along Duck River.
- The Artist will create original 2D artwork designs for both the Eastern and Western Riverbank packages, responding to the Curatorial Vision.
- The Artist's resolved designs will form part of Council's tender documentation to appoint a Principal Contractor.
- Council will work alongside the Artist to adapt the artwork for each package using a technical template, with the Artist delivering final scaled Adobe Illustrator vector files to the Principal Contractor.
- The Principal Contractor will take care of shop drawings, fabrication and installation, allowing the Artist to focus on the creative vision.
- Throughout fabrication and installation (2027–2028), the Artist will provide advice to ensure the finished work stays true to their artistic concept.
- Construction of the Eastern Riverbank package, including the artwork, is expected to begin in 2027, with the Western Riverbank package to follow, subject to funding.
Budget
The budget for this commission is $60,000 ex GST inclusive of all costs including the following:
- All artist fees
- Delivery of final Adobe Illustrator vector files for integration into the project’s detailed design documentation
- Fabrication and installation advisory services
- Consultation with Traditional Custodians facilitated by Council
- All equipment, insurance and materials
Download Guidelines
Visit the City of Parramatta’s Public Art Expression of Interest page for details and Download the project guidelines which contain the Artist Brief and Sample contract: INSERT LINK ONCE YOU HAVE
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