Guidance of Ones’ Past

Trent Bundirrik Lee’s public artwork embodies traditional ritual knowledge of the Larrakia Community.

Located in Bicentennial Park, between the playground and the sculpture mirragma gunugurr-wa, the artwork titled Guidance of Ones' Past, draws upon the artist's deep connection to his craft.

Meet the Artist

A proud Larrakia person through a Nardang father, grandmother Alap, and part of the large Cubillo family, Trent was taught from a young age to paint in the traditional way, and from around ten years old, learned the cultural practices of carving and creating artefacts such as spears, boomerangs and carvings of birds, turtles and stingrays. 

Cultural works, including spears and artefacts, are held in the offices of the Governor-General, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, senior Defence Force representatives and the American Consulate. Coins have also been designed for a former Northern Territory Chief Minister.

Active in the Darwin street art scene, with murals featured across schools, businesses, and community spaces in Darwin and Palmerston. The largest mural, located at the Palmerston Recreation Centre, spans 36 metres long and 12 metres high. In 2024, an invitation to Los Angeles led to the creation of a mural promoting Northern Territory tourism.

Instagram: @bundirrik_1

Photographer: Helspix