Warwick Keen says his installation of 150 colour-changing light pillars in Barangaroo Reserve "looks fabulous during the day", but goes to another level at nightfall.
His is one of the many art installations that launch into life at 6pm each evening during Sydney's Vivid festival.
For Mr Keen, participating in the festival is a chance for the TAFE NSW teacher to showcase a style that he has been perfecting for decades.
His exhibition is called Nura, which means 'place' or 'country' in Gadigal language.
It is part of a broad display along the waterfront at Crown Sydney called The Gallery.
Mr Keen's artworks draw inspiration from traditional tree carvings, with each pillar highlighting a First Nations memory in fine detail.
"I have a ferry floating around on Darling Harbour [featuring my artwork] with similar iconography on it," he says.
"It's a good, positive thing to be doing and what it does is it helps keep culture alive."
Drawing on local art practices
Warwick Keen says he encourages Aboriginal artists to draw and paint using the iconography of where they come from, rather than copying practices from other areas in Australia like the central desert or Top End.
"I went up there early last week and saw them [artworks] and spent a couple of nights walking back and forth."
Showcasing Aboriginal artists
The NSW Minister for Tourism and Sport, Stuart Ayres, says the exhibition of Indigenous artworks is a festival highlight.
"Vivid Sydney shines a bright spotlight on the artistic talent we have in NSW and it is so exciting to see Indigenous artists at the forefront, telling their stories and featured in such an iconic location," he says.
"The Barangaroo redevelopment is crucial in creating jobs, attracting investment, driving the visitor economy, and giving Sydney a world-class new waterfront development.
Mr Keen was commissioned to create the designs on paper before they were printed onto a polypropylene surface.
The designs were then moulded onto cylinders with lights inside them.
"The importance of connecting with and celebrating Aboriginal heritage is the driving force behind our 2022 Vivid Sydney installation," Crown Sydney spokesperson Simon McGrath says.
"Honouring the heritage of Barangaroo was vital to us, so this partnership made complete sense.
"We are delighted that Crown Sydney can provide a platform for First Nations students to showcase their talent not only to Sydney but the world."
