Acknowledgement of Country
Alison Page, Rowena Welsh-Jarrett, Simon Reece
-
Saltwater People Stories
Leanne Tobin, Nadeena Dixon, Uncle Steven Russell
Art Shaped by Sea and Community
Public Art
-
Project details
BLACKWATTLE BAY, NSW | WANGAL, GADIGAL
2025Artists: Leanne Tobin, Nadeena Dixon, Uncle Steven Russell
Client: Infrastructure NSW
Project Team: 3XN, BVN, GXN Innovation, Aspect Studios, Cultural Captial, Tess Allas
Photography: Courtesy of Infrastructure NSWThe reinvention of Sydney’s Fish Market is a state-significant transformation, evolving a once transactional marketplace into a vibrant cultural destination. Public artworks anchor the foreshore, creating a powerful platform for Indigenous storytelling and a celebration of the enduring cultural practices of the Wangal and Gadigal People.
-
-
Background
The new Sydney Fish Market offers a premium experience for seafood trading, dining, cultural connection, and social engagement, positioning it as Sydney’s latest must-see attraction. Its transformation stands as one of the most ambitious and impactful urban renewal projects of this era. The project delivers more than upgraded market facilities; it creates community and shapes a new identity for the precinct.
Blackwattle Bay has long been a rich fishing ground and an important transport route for the Gadigal and Wangal clans. Drawn by its abundant seafood, it was a natural meeting place, with local Dreaming stories shaped by fishing and a deep connection to water. The public artworks, Saltwater People Stories, respond directly to place, celebrating traditional cultural practices and Dreamtime narratives, ensuring these stories continue for future generations.
-
-
Design Approach
The artworks serve as a vehicle for cultural enrichment—preserving tacit knowledge and carrying it through generations. Each sculpture has been shaped by its own artistic journey, with the process itself as important as the finished form.
Tilt’s collaboration with the artists supports them through the full process of realising their visions for public art in a complex construction environment. Tilt provides not only detailed design support but also commercial guidance and project management services, enabling the artists to focus on and enjoy the creative process.
-
The Saltwater People Stories artists (L-R) - Uncle Steven Russell, Leanne Tobin and Nadeena Dixon -
THE CALL OF NGURA (COUNTRY)
Leanne Tobin. Boorooberong and Wumali (clans of Dharug) artistLeanne Tobin’s artwork reflects the seasonal migration of eels and their ability to adapt to environmental hardship. Their journey parallels the resilience and perseverance of the Dharug people in the face of colonisation.
The fish market eels are formed from original glass sculptures created for Leanne’s 2022 Biennale of Sydney artwork, Ngalawan – We Live, We Remain: The Call of Ngura (Country). The glass eels were used as moulds for the fish market eels before they were dipped in wax. Each piece was then carefully refined by hand, ensuring Leanne’s touch is embedded in the work before the final stage of bronze casting.
-
VIDEO - The Making of 'Call of Ngura (Country)'. Courtesy of Infrastructure NSW -
Leanne Tobin with an eel from 'The Call of Ngura (Country)' artwork
-
BIRRANG NARRAMI (STAR NET)
Nadeena Dixon. Wiradjuri, Yuin and Gadigal artistThis artwork represents more than a bronze fishing net; it embodies the passing down of knowledge and skills through generations. Nadeena Dixon, a master weaver, used the creation of the Star Net as a way to transfer the weaving skills she gained from her community to her daughters. This valuable exchange ensures the ancient weaving practice remains within her family and carries the legacy forward.
To deepen community engagement with the artmaking, Tilt arranged an evening bronze-pouring demonstration at the Australian Bronze Sculpture House with the project stakeholders, providing insight into the process and strengthening the connection to this artwork.
-
VIDEO - The making of 'Birrang Narrami (Star Net)' -
-
THE NAWI
Uncle Steven Russell. Bidjigal Elder and artistThe Nawi is a bronze replica of a traditional canoe made from stringy bark, historically used for fishing and travel. This ancient boat-building practice was passed down to Uncle Russell by his grandfather and uncles, and now he shares this knowledge with others to preserve Aboriginal culture.
The Nawi used to create the bronze sculpture was created in Gerringong through an inclusive workshop with the local First Nations community and project stakeholders. This valuable exchange of knowledge provided an authentic opportunity to observe traditional practices and gain first-hand insights. These insights informed the subsequent phases of the project, during which Tilt transformed the physical canoe into a digital detailed design to assist in realising the artwork and integrating it into the site.
-
VIDEO - Making 'The Nawi' with Uncle Steven Russell -
-
Tilt Services
Saltwater People Stories draws on the deep First Nations history and skills of many collaborators to bring the series of sculptures to life. Cultural Capital developed the public art plan in close consultation with high-level stakeholders and community groups, curating a sensitive, informed, and meaningful artistic response to the site. Following artist selection, Tilt supported the artists from their early concept development through to detailed design, fabrication and installation.
Working alongside the artists, Tilt helped to guide the concepts and support their translation through the various fabrication processes, ensuring the artistic intent was preserved at every stage.
- Project Consultation
- Detailed Design inc. CAD, structural engineering review and certification, construction documentation
- Fabrication inc. shop drawings and procurement
- Installation, site documentation and handover
- Project Management
-
-
Impact
The Saltwater People Stories transform the new Sydney Fish Market into a cultural experience, where public art goes beyond object-making and becomes a vehicle for cultural preservation and education. By leveraging First Nations knowledge, ancestral storytelling, and lived experience, the artworks create authentic artistic narratives that enhance cultural visibility, promote intergenerational knowledge transfer, and engage the wider community.
”Supporting the artists and creating space for them to lead the storytelling and share that process with their communities has shaped something far more lasting than the artworks themselves. These stories now live in the public realm, continuing to educate, connect, and resonate long into the future.”
Tim Phillips, CEO, Tilt Industrial Design
Through deep collaboration and mentorship, these artworks are not only enduring landmarks but they are catalysts for cultural enrichment—ensuring that the stories of Country, water, and people remain present, understood, and celebrated in one of Sydney’s most significant public spaces.
-
“The lifecycle of the eel is a metaphor for the Dharug; despite all that’s happened to their environment…they still remain. The metaphor for our people is, we are still here, we’re adapting, we change, and we’re resilient.”
Leanne Tobin
-
Related projects
-
To see further examples
of our Public Art work,
get in touch.Explore more projects
