Exciting new public artworks by Yaegl artist Frances Belle Parker and Urban Art Projects (UAP) are currently in production for installation along the Northern Beaches Coast Walk at Narrabeen Lagoon, Avalon (South) and Long Reef Headland.

They are part of the Aboriginal Art & Storytelling Project, which aims to acknowledge, respect and share the stories of the Northern Beaches Aboriginal people through a series of contemporary public artworks along the 36km Coast Walk, from Manly to Palm Beach.

As part of the project, Frances engaged with the local Aboriginal community to identify appropriate and relevant sites for storytelling through the artwork. The artist has significant family connections on the Northern Beaches and has worked with public art and architectural design group UAP Australia, and independent curator Tess Allas, to realise this project. 

A series of large, cast aluminium oyster shells will be installed at Narrabeen Lagoon; and at Avalon and Long Reef, the artist and UAP will install groups of bronze plaques, that depict stories of whale migration.

See impressions of the artworks above and watch the video to hear the artist discuss their conception and significance to the Northern Beaches.

The artworks are currently being fabricated in Brisbane and are expected to be installed in June 2022, weather permitting.