Ballardong Noongar artist with connections to the Nimunburr Yawuru, Kamsani Bin Salleh, also known as Kambarni, has been creating professional art for nearly a decade. His latest mural, "Honor May", tells a deeply personal story.

"I like to create artwork that's honest," Bin Salleh said.

"This is an honest representation of myself, and I'm hoping that it resonates with other people."

Named after his two grandmothers, the artwork features leaves from nearby trees, which serve as a heartwarming metaphor. He explained the trees aren't native to Western Australia, but they have grown their roots, just like some of Bin Salleh's grandparents.

"We fall here and we're only here for a moment," he said.

Drawing from his deep connection to First Nations culture and history, Bin Salleh's commitment to Indigenous storytelling shapes every aspect of his work.

"A lot of damage has been done when it's taken away, and I guess instilling pride is important to keep people motivated and moving forward," he said.

Bin Salleh strategically uses art as a platform for broader narratives, offering international visitors and city dwellers a unique perspective.With a masterful understanding of how to engage diverse audiences, he carefully balances aesthetics with message.

"I try to make it pretty and beautiful because that's the vessel that people are receptive to. Then I can put some more messages in it, and it becomes an avenue for people to see some of my political artwork," he said.

"I hope when they see this, they don't see me, but they see all the people that were here for thousands of years before."

The mural, composed of intricate dots - a technique associated with Central Desert Indigenous art - serves as a bridge between traditional artistic expressions and contemporary urban environments.

Its prominent placement in Kings Park reflects Bin Salleh's strategic approach to visibility and representation.

"It's important that I put my artwork in prominent spaces and it's reflective of us as a community, but also show other artists that it's possible to chase your dreams. You can't be what you can't see," said Bin Salleh.

As an artist deeply rooted in his community and cultural traditions, Bin Salleh emphasises the irreplaceable value of oral histories.

"A lot of people can easily research and jump on the internet to look up the histories of a place, but it's important that we keep the old traditions, learning from those that actually know the stories. You can't represent the community if you're not a part of the community."

Through his thoughtful approach to public art and storytelling, each piece becomes more than a visual experience - it's a potential catalyst.

"This could be the start of some people's journeys or it could be a highlight for someone's journey so far," said Bin Salleh.

As these spaces increasingly become platforms for Indigenous narratives, artists like Bin Salleh are leading the way, creating works that are at once beautiful, provocative, and deeply meaningful.