As part of City of Darwin’s commitment to celebrating creativity and culture in public spaces, a vibrant new artwork by local artist Fabian McLennan now features on one of our street sweepers.
The piece, titled Mix Dreamings of Larrakia & Tiwi Connections, brings together elements of Fabian’s identity and cultures, honouring both his Larrakia and Tiwi roots.
The artwork tells a story of hunting for bush turkey on Larrakia country. Animal prints and crocodiles symbolise the artist’s connection to the Dangalaba (Crocodile) descendants, while ceremonial Tiwi spears and bush turkey eggs reflect cultural tools, stories, and rituals shared. Boomerangs are used for hunting Bush Turkey and adds to this personal and cultural narrative.
One of Fabian’s dangalaba’s from this artwork, also features on a new series of our library cards.
Fabian is a Larrakia man through his father and Gurindji through his mother. He was born and raised in Darwin and is a survivor of Cyclone Tracy. His late father, Larrakia Elder George McLennan, was a member of the Stolen Generations and given the name ‘Pompa’ by the Tiwi community — a name passed on to Fabian.
A self-taught artist, Fabian uses only pens and markers to create his distinctive style. Living with an intellectual disability doesn’t stop him from creating his drawings and Fabian enjoys telling stories through his art. His work has been widely recognised, including as a finalist in the 18th Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) in 2001.
This project -aligns with goals in City of Darwin’s Creative Strategy 2024 - 2030 — which aims to amplify our city’s creativity, where talent, skill and tradition are nurtured and elevated for the enrichment of all. The strategy is structure around three focus areas: Celebrating Larrakia, Distinctly Darwin and Invigorating Spaces. Goals include showcasing work by artists with disability, and elevate Larrakia and First Nations cultures and stories.
Be sure to keep an eye out for Fabian’s artwork on our streets — a moving celebration of culture, identity, and creativity.
