A new large-scale mural celebrating the strength and cultural connection of Palawa women has been unveiled on a Murray Street wall in Hobart’s CBD, as part of the City of Hobart’s Urban Art Walls program.
The artwork was created by Wiradjuri and Tongan artist Brandi Salmon, in collaboration with emerging artist Phoebe Diggle, a recent University of Tasmania art school graduate.
The mural features an intergenerational portrait of Palawa women, shown wearing traditional skins, shells and ochre. The City of Hobart said the design was shaped through conversations with Palawa Elders and Knowledge Holders, focusing on respect for Country and the role of women in Palawa culture.
Ms Salmon said the work is grounded in truth-telling and cultural authority.
“This mural honours Palawa people as the traditional custodians of Lutruwita and acknowledges the deep, ongoing presence of Palawa culture,” she said.
She said the mural centres women, and “challenges misrepresentation and asserts the authority of self-representation”.
Ms Salmon also said it was her second mural at this scale and took “almost around 20 days” to complete over Christmas and New Year.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the mural adds to Hobart’s collection of community-driven public art and reflects what residents have been asking for.
“Public art helps us tell a range of stories about Hobart and this mural features Palawa women and their stories,” she said.
“The Hobart community have told us that they love seeing public art around the city and they’re also interested to see more representation of First Nations culture.”
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