Patchwork of Light

Artwork description

Patchwork of Light is an array of 10 brightly coloured light boxes positioned high up at the Pitt Street end of Reiby Place. Boldly emblazoned with figures and phrases in the Sydney Aboriginal language and English, the artwork brings our city’s Aboriginal, European, political and sporting histories to life.

While examining modern-day Sydney, Schnitger became inspired by a figure from Sydney’s past, Mary Reibey (1777–1855). Channelling Australia’s earliest suffragists and its first 2 female Olympians, the artist communicates a message of female empowerment that is uniquely Australian.

One light box charts 4 separate years significant in the advancement of women in Australian politics and civic life. In 1884 Henrietta Dugdale formed the first women’s suffrage society in the Australian colonies. In 1902 white women were granted enfranchisement to vote in federal elections. In 1962, Aboriginal people were finally granted the same right to vote. And in 2010 Julia Gillard became the first female prime minister of Australia.

Another light box depicts Olympic swimmers Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie on the podium with crossed bodies and arms to suggest unity and defiance. Public fundraising enabled these swimmers to travel to the Stockholm Olympics (1912 was the first time women’s swimming events were included) where they won gold and silver medals. With the figure of the Eora fisherwoman, Patchwork of Light reflects the shared experience between suffragists and Aboriginal women.

The artwork was developed with Wiradjuri/Yuin elder Aunty Bronwyn Penrith, whose journey has been dedicated to reclaiming the culture of and respect for Aboriginal women.

Read the stories behind the 10 Australian feminist icons featured on the light boxes.