Woollahra Council Unveils New Public Artwork by Penny Evans in Double Bay

Woollahra Council, in collaboration with UAP, is delighted to announce the unveiling of Wadhangarii by Penny Evans, a new public artwork on Bay Street in Double Bay.

The artwork is Woollahra Council’s first major public artwork by a First Nations artist and was commissioned by the Council’s Public Art Panel as part of the Bay Street Pedestrian Upgrade Project, funded by the NSW Government’s Public Spaces Legacy program.

Penny Evans is a descendant of the K/Gamilaroi people of North-West New South Wales. Her practice is deeply underpinned by her connection to family, community and Country. “Wadhangarii, in the language of the Dharawal People, refers to the Coastal Banksia, which has many uses and meanings,” Evans explains. “My Wadhangarii sculpture is about remembrance and is also a sentinel, marker and signpost for cultural values inherent in Country.”

The cast bronze, aluminium, stainless steel, sandstone sculpture is close to 4 metres high and honours the banksia’s vibrant flowers and evokes a figure holding a grass stem as one arm – pointing to the inland – and a banksia leaf as the other, reaching towards the harbour. The gestures connect the hinterland and saltwater economies, reflecting the interconnection the harbour and natural ecologies.

Curator Dakota Dixon led community consultation with Elders Aunty Rene Campbell and Aunty Denise Simon whose valued perspectives informed the artist’s concept design.

Wadhangarii brings the total number of public artworks in the Woollahra Local Government Area to 21.

Woollahra Mayor Sarah Swan said the artwork’s location ensures it will be embraced by locals and visitors to the area.

“I’m pleased that Bay Street is home to Woollahra Council’s first permanent public artwork by a First Nations Artist. Its prominent position ensures it will be enjoyed by both residents and visitors, and will help to deepen connection to Woollahra’s significant indigenous history,” the Mayor Swan said.

Mayor Swan and the artist officially unveiled the artwork on 6 June 2025.