The landmark Great Emu in the Sky public artwork, commissioned by Transport for NSW and curated and co-created by Balarinji Studio, has been awarded top honours across two prestigious design programs.
The 30-metre lenticular sculpture won Gold in the Australian Good Design Awards (Built Environment Installation category) and Gold in the Sydney Design Awards (Pop-Ups, Display, Exhibit & Set Design category).
Located at the M12 Motorway and Western Sydney Airport interchange, the installation brings to life the local Dharug story of how Mariong, the Emu and Mother Spirit, became a constellation in the Milky Way.
The artwork serves as a powerful, enduring 'Welcome to Country' visible across five transport modes—motorway, Metro rail, aviation, cycling, and pedestrian pathways.
The work was curated and co-created by Balarinji Studio with Dharug-connected artists Danny Eastwood, Jamie Eastwood, Danielle Mate, Jasmine Seymour, and Leanne Watson, and conceived by Balarinji lead artist on the work's genesis, Tim Moriarty.
"The Jury commends this powerful public art intervention for bringing cultural storytelling and visual richness into a typically utilitarian motorway environment," the Good Design Awards 2026 Jury said in a joint statement.
"The contrast between rigid infrastructure and the organic spherical form creates a strong visual disruption that transforms transient landscape into something memorable and engaging. The work successfully establishes meaningful cultural presence through its illuminated references to Australian emu fauna and Indigenous storytelling traditions, reinforcing a shared relationship to place and ecology.
"The Jury recognises the project's ambition in embedding deep collaboration and Country-centred design principles, creating a landmark experience that celebrates Dharug culture while establishing a new benchmark for culturally responsive civic design."
The project signals a shift in public art curation and infrastructure design, delivered through Balarinji's sector-leading Designing with Country methodology.
This cultural framework prioritises authentic co-creation and design-led engagement with local Aboriginal knowledge holders over standard 'select and commission' procurement models.
"We are deeply honoured that the 'Great Emu in the Sky' artwork has been recognised with these major awards," said Ros Moriarty, Balarinji co-founder and Managing Director.
"This recognition celebrates how Aboriginal narratives can shape our shared Australian identity when brought to life through respectful, best-practice collaboration with Traditional Custodians and local Knowledge Holders.
"Public art plays a vital role in grounding built environments in the story of Place. Through projects like this, people can experience the strength, depth, and beauty of Aboriginal culture every day."
Ngemba-Dharug artist on the project Jamie Eastwood said: "I'm so excited and proud to have been a part of this incredible piece of Dharug storytelling, working with my fellow amazing Aboriginal Artists and the team at Balarinji."
"This work not only celebrates our heritage and tells stories of Country, but it also invites everyone in the community to explore the richness of Dharug history," he said.
"The 'Great Emu in the Sky' sculpture tells a powerful story and shines a light on our past and present. I hope it helps foster a deeper connection and understanding with everyone who sees it. For me it has been such a rewarding journey to see the Great Emu come to life in such a very public domain."
The sculpture features a 372-tonne structural steel frame supporting an emu nest constructed from 900+ mirrored stainless steel branches totaling 3.8 kilometres in length.
Utilising 1,100+ LED lights and specialised snoot lighting, the installation creates an innovative lenticular reveal displaying two distinct emu forms (one sitting on the nest and one in the night sky) that emerge and disassemble based on the viewer's position.
Projected seasonal colour washes further animate the structure, reflecting the Aboriginal Six Seasons of Western Sydney.
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