Footprints on Gadigal Nura transforms Waterloo Metro Station into a cultural landmark through Aboriginal-led placemaking. Developed in collaboration with Elders, youth, and community members, the project embeds storytelling and connection to Country at every level. It features three key works all developed through workshops with Community: a 25-metre lenticular wall that shifts imagery as people move past uses Elders handwriting to etch ‘FOOTPRINTS ON GADIGAL NURA’ at street level, beside the escalator is a patterned map of local walking trails and sites of significance embedded with over 1,000 individually cast aluminium footprints, and finally a nine-metre-high striking portrait created from perforated panel depicting a young dancer acknowledging travellers as they first set foot on the concourse.

These works celebrate the enduring relationship between the Gadigal people and Country, while fostering cultural understanding, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging. By blending art, architecture, and community engagement, the station is transformed from a transit hub into a living, interactive archive of Aboriginal identity and history. The project exemplifies how public spaces can be reimagined to honour and share First Nations knowledge, ensuring these stories remain visible for future generations.

Photography: Scott Cameron