New Council Chamber Artworks Honour the Spirit of Place

Published on 07 May 2025

PHOTO: Gumbaynggirr artist Brentyn Lugnan -Council chambers gardens art installation

Visitors to the Bellingen Shire Council Chambers will now be greeted by a transformed garden entry space that celebrates both natural beauty and cultural identity. As part of essential landscaping works to address building impacts and improve public amenity, Council has also installed three art pieces by respected Gumbaynggirr artist Brentyn Lugnan, each representing a distinct region of the Shire: Urunga, Bellingen, and Dorrigo.

Using locally sourced logs—some decades old—the sculptures were created through a process that Brentyn describes as part intuitive, part ancestral homage. “There’s a beautiful irony in using those logs and painting the old ways and old people inside them. It’s almost a living reference to our ancestors in this area.”

Each artwork reflects the essence and identity of its respective place:

Urunga – Seaboard

The Urunga piece is shaped by representations of the river and the sacred ochre from Yellow Rock, a very significant site for Brentyn’s family and the wider Gumbaynggirr community. “The wavy lines show the river-ways whilst the dots represent the sacred connection to Country expressed through the traditional body ornamentation practices of our old people. That ochre colour, to me, says Urunga. It gives the artwork a sense of identity and place and speaks to the continuation of my people’s culture through time,” he explained.

Bellingen – Valley

This central panel features the Bellinger River and its tributaries, with flowing, bubble-like elements that symbolise the vast water table beneath the valley. “This is reflective of the water that nourishes and ties this valley together. These logs are like little time machines—they hold the memory of what we had and what was lost,” said Brentyn

Dorrigo – Plateau

The Dorrigo piece features traditional U-shapes, the oldest known symbol for people, representing gatherings and the Gumbaynggirr people’s connection to country.  “Once again, I've used the white dots to represent the inherent sacredness of this place to my family, my people, and everybody else. It’s been shared with me that Dorrigo was a place of gathering and coming together for our old people, so these shapes are depicting those events, showing these groups coming together on the Plateau,” Brentyn noted.

The artwork was painted with graffiti-grade inks and sealed with resin and cabothane to ensure longevity, blending traditional symbolism with modern materials. “I love that juxtaposition between the old and the new,” Brentyn said. “Aboriginal people were always the ultimate adapters. Today, we’re using drones, computers, the best tech—and to me —that’s culturally responsible.”

Council also worked with Yurruungga Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) to select native plants that complement the artwork. Featured species include:

• Dianella ensiformis (Silver Streak)
• Zieria prostrata
• Hymenosporum flavum (Dwarf Native Frangipani)
• Lime Tuff
• Austromyrtus dulcis (Midgenberry)

The revitalisation is part of a broader effort by Council to enhance public spaces and foster inclusive, culturally safe environments.

Mayor Cr Steve Allan said the transformation has not only improved the visual amenity and accessibility of the Chambers but has also delivered a meaningful public space that celebrates Bellingen’s rich Indigenous heritage.

“It’s great to see the transformation of the Council Chamber garden. It has completely opened up the area visually, allowed more light into the building, and makes the Council Chambers more inviting for the community,” Mayor Allan said. “The addition of Gumbaynggirr artwork and native plants not only beautifies the space but also creates a public area that is inclusive and reflective of our shared cultural story. I thank Brentyn for his beautiful installations.”