Art is everywhere

ART is everywhere and can surprise us in unexpected places. In Geelong, this includes our street corners.

The First Nations NBN Box Art trail transforms National Broadband Network (NBN) utility boxes into vibrant pieces of art, wrapped with local First Nations creatives’ expressive designs.

The trail goes from central Geelong to Marshall and features the work of ten local artists commissioned to take part in the project.

Artists include renowned Wadawurrung artist Billy-Jay O’Toole whose artwork “Dja” is on an NBN box near the corner of Little Malop and Gheringhap streets.

Billy-Jay’s colourful artwork represents all elements of Country and serves as a reminder its importance to all of us today.

The vibrant colours and intricate design invite passersby to pause and reflect on our shared responsibility to care for the environment.

Meanwhile, over in Marshall, Jenna Oldaker’s artwork ‘Ton-Ton (Brain)’ is a vibrant and captivating composition of colourful shapes and dots.

The traditional U shapes represent people on Wadawurrung Country as they move around the tracks weaving back and forth across the land sharing their stories, history and culture.

Her piece is a striking representation of how the mind comes to life in colour, reminding us of the rich cultural knowledge that continues to be passed down through generations.

Also, in Marshall, Norm Stanley’s artwork ‘The Setting Sun of the Serpent’ draws on memories of his childhood and the story of the red sky of the setting sun told by his Elders.

His design tells the story of a serpent slithering through a fiery sky at sunset, and the hues of red, grey and white evoke the beauty of the red sky at dusk.

The First Nations NBN Box Artwork Series aims to showcase the importance and significance of our First Nations art and culture and highlight the unique designs by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The NBN boxes are essential infrastructure for phone and internet providers to connect to properties. However, through the First Nations NBN Box Art Project, they go beyond their practical function, becoming public works of art that reflect the cultural identities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Geelong.

Each NBN box serves as a platform for cultural expression, amplifying the visibility of First Peoples’ culture in urban settings.

The project has been developed in consultation with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative.

It is also a collaboration between the City of Greater Geelong, First Nations artists and NBN Co.

By wrapping NBN boxes with vibrant artworks inspired by traditional motifs and contemporary expressions, the NBN boxes invite us to pause and contemplate the narratives embedded within.

For more information and to view the trail map, head to geelong.link/NBNArt

Ali Wastie

Chief executive officer,

City of Greater Geelong