Barangaroo South Sustainability Report 2021 - 2023

Pictured: Emily Ravenscroft (L) and Gemma Peña (R) at Yirrkala Arts Centre. One Sydney Harbour celebrates Arnhem Land artists  A meaningful visit to Arnhem Land’s Yirrkala Arts Centre has seen 800 artworks selected for One Sydney Harbour’s walls. One Sydney Harbour’s vision extends beyond architectural innovation, sustainable construction and luxury living to encompass a genuine appreciation for Indigenous art and culture. In August 2022 Lendlease Senior Development Managers, Gemma Peña and Emily Ravenscroft, journeyed to Yirrkala Arts Centre in Northeast Arnhem Land, approximately 700km east of Darwin, to source 800 pieces of Indigenous art that will adorn the many walls of One Sydney Harbour’s three towers. The trip encompassed three flights from Sydney to Brisbane, to Cairns, to Arnhem Land. The Yirrkala Arts Centre is owned and operated by the Yolngu people, the traditional custodians of the land, and it plays a significant part in preserving and promoting Yolngu culture and art forms. The art centre is a division of the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre which also houses a digital production studio and archiving centre. The Yirrkala Arts Centre has garnered both national and global recognition with many of its artists exhibiting in Art Galleries and museums around the world and plays a pivotal role in nurturing First Nations culture and artistry. The 48-hour visit was intensely productive, with Gemma and Emily meticulously selecting 800 screen prints. Their aim was to maintain the essence of the artworks, ensuring that once framed, they would create a cohesive narrative within their respective spaces. “There was a such a great affinity between One Sydney Harbour, Barangaroo and the Yirrkala Gallery and it was a privilege to travel there and select the pieces,” says Gemma. “The funds used for the purchases are reinvested back into the artists and their communities and you can really see the difference it makes.” The visit to Yirrkala was as much about acquiring artworks as it was about supporting Indigenous communities and empowering Indigenous artists; an approach that will foster even more creativity and artistry in the region. Once curated, each of One Sydney Harbour’s floors will greet its residents with the artworks, immersing them in vibrant Indigenous aesthetics and stories. Every piece, along with its artist’s intention statement, will be chronicled in the One Sydney Harbour Residents app, allowing visitors to connect with the art on a deeper level. This initiative has set One Sydney Harbour apart as more than just a residence but a living, breathing canvas of Indigenous art, culture and meaning. 77 Sustainability Report 2021–23 Barangaroo South SHAPING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE