Urban Art Wall mural celebrating Palawa women completed

The latest City of Hobart Urban Art Walls mural has been completed as a large scale artwork on Murray Street. 

The mural was created by local Wiradjuri and Tongan artist Brandi Salmon and pays tribute to strong Palawa women and their enduring cultural connection to Nipaluna.  

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said public art helped tell a range of stories and the mural featured Palawa women and their stories. 

“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,” she said. 

“It’s wonderful to see such a great portrait of some of Tasmania’s Palawa leaders and such an interesting artwork brightening up a city carpark.” 

Mural artist Brandi Salmon said the mural honoured Palawa people as the traditional custodians of Lutruwita and acknowledged the deep, ongoing presence of Palawa culture. 

“The work celebrates Palawa matriarchs and the importance of family in the passing down of culture, knowledge and strength across generations,” he said. 

“It also responds to a long-held misconception that Palawa people were wiped out and this mural instead reflects survival, resistance and continuity, and recognises that Palawa culture is living and enduring. 

“As a Wiradjuri woman living and working on Palawa Country, it was important to me that this work was guided by consultation and trust in community voices.” 

The concept was shaped by extensive conversations between the artists and local Elders, guided by a focus on respect for Country, and the role of women in Palawa culture.