Larrakia Animal Designs 

A commission of artworks and Gulumoerrgn (Larrakia language) names by artist Jason Lee is delivered in partnership with Larrakia Nation. 

Meeting rooms across City of Darwin’s Civic Centre, Operations Centre and Libraries feature artworks and their meanings in Gulumoerrgn (Larrakia language) and English, created by Larrakia artist Jason Lee.  

This initiative delivered a key action in City of Darwin’s Reconciliation Action Plan 2020 – 2022. 

City of Darwin worked with Larrakia Nation to commission artwork and receive permission to use the Gulumoerrgn language (one of the names for Larrakia language) for meeting rooms. 
 
Each room has a different design, name, phonetic pronunciation and English translation. For example, ‘Darrandirra’, meaning ‘all of us’, is on the Council Chambers Meeting Room door alongside artwork by the artist interpreting that concept visually. 
 
The designs were created by Larrakia artist Jason Lee, with words and pronunciations coordinated and approved by the Larrakia language group team at Larrakia Nation. 

Meet the Artist

Jason Lee, of Bidjipidji Art (Instagram @bidjpidji_art), is a self-taught Larrakia artist living on saltwater country. He started learning his gulumerrdjin (Larrakia) culture from a young age, which was further cultivated during his teenage years and through learning Larrakia language. Jason’s dreaming is the dragonfly, bidjipidji (pronounced beedj-peedjee) in Larrakia language.

His work includes both traditional and contemporary styles and spans a range of formats including illustration, decal design and drone light show conceptualisation as part of the Darwin Festival. Jason also creates large scale murals as part of the Darwin Street Art Festival and for other local businesses. Read more about Jason and his work here.