A new mural by Whadjuk Noongar artist Jade Dolman has been unveiled at Leatherback Park in Alkimos Beach, Western Australia, as part of a joint initiative by Stockland and DevelopmentWA to embed Indigenous culture into public spaces.
The large-scale artwork spans the half basketball court and celebrates the cultural and environmental significance of Karli Spring and the Two-Spotted Line Blue butterfly.
Ms Dolman said the mural design was shaped by consultation with her family and guided by local knowledge.
"I undertook cultural consultation with my family and used that knowledge to guide the design," she said.
"I have focused on the local freshwater spring and two species.
"The first being Old Man Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) and the second being its partner which is my totem, the Two-Spotted Line Blue butterfly (Nacaduba biocellata)."
She said the mural illustrates the butterfly's life cycle through colour, movement and landscape elements.
"The design shows the life cycle of the butterfly surrounded by lots of colour and movement representing rain, flowers, reeds, Yanchep caves and people camping in their mia mia's," Ms Dolman said.
"The Kylie spring which is near Leatherback is the focal point of the artwork creating flow from one basketball key to the other... the curvature of the water movement resembles a kylie / boomerang."
She said the mural also incorporates Noongar seasonal knowledge.
The project is part of Stockland's broader Public Art Strategy and First Nations Strategy, which includes Designing with Country principles and increased Indigenous procurement.
Stockland Indigenous Engagement Manager WA Robert Brittain said the mural reflects a commitment to embedding Indigenous culture in urban development.
"By working directly with local artists and Traditional Owners, we're creating spaces that authentically reflect the cultural significance of the land our communities are built on," Mr Brittain said.
"These efforts represent our evolution from simply acknowledging Country to actively designing with Country, ensuring Indigenous perspectives shape every stage of our development process."
Member for Butler Lorna Clarke, the local MP, said the artwork contributes to community connection during NAIDOC Week.
"The recently opened basketball courts at Leatherback Park will provide great community space that also recognises the world's oldest continuing culture," Ms Clarke said.
"Jade Dolman's work is an excellent contribution to celebrate the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC week. Part of this year's theme is vision and legacy, and I think that this work's weaving together of local stories and elements drawn from the area reflects those themes well."
City of Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken said the mural encourages youth to engage with culture through art and sport.
"With the addition of this incredible mural, the youth space at Leatherback Park now provides a place for young people to come together, socialise, stay fit and healthy, and connect with their community and culture," Ms Aitken said.
Stockland's commitment to Indigenous inclusion in WA is also visible at its Nara development in Fremantle, named after the Whadjuk Noongar term Derbal Nara, which recognises the waters of Cockburn Sound.
