Birrung, 2025
Artist: Nicole Monks
Location: Y Suites, Regent Street Redfern
Birrung is kinetic artwork developed as a collaborative work by Uncle Chicka, Gadigal Elder and artist, Nicole Monks, Yamaji Wajarri/Dutch/English multi-disciplinary creative.
This sculpture portrays the ‘Emu in the sky’, an astronomical feature that is composed of the dark spaces in the Milky Way. From east to west across Australia different language groups have their own interpretations of the ’Emu in the Sky’ that have different meaning
The artwork comprises a 17m x 5m trapezoidal steel frame in a small Redfern lane 9m above the ground. Made up of a pre tensioned stainless steel wire grid locked in position with custom button clamps, 1200 fixed and dynamic aluminium panels in gold, silver and black and framed by a custom aluminium trim creating a picture frame effect.
Photo Credit: AG Team