The WACA Ground, the birthplace of Western Australian cricket, is entering its next phase of life, a transformation into a boutique sporting and community facility connected to the heart of Perth.

Artify was engaged in early 2021 to plan and manage the public art program, from procurement through to installation. We developed artist briefs across a range of opportunities, with local Perth artists Penelope Forlano and Kambarni selected to work collaboratively on them. The artists developed concepts telling the rich, layered narrative of the site, from its pre-colonial significance to its present-day life as the home of WA cricket, informed by access to Noongar Cultural Advisor Richard Walley and the WACA Museum Curator. The resulting works are highly visible features of the redevelopment, spanning a digital print mural in the auditorium, integrated glazing to the windows and a mural along the concourse.

The program also delivered a series of bronze statues celebrating cricketers of significance, spanning male, female and aboriginal cricketers, in recognition of the game's full history at the WACA. Artify shaped the concept brief and coordinated the commission with Gillie and Marc, renowned artists whose work across more than 250 cities is driven by a mission to balance gender and racial representation in public art. The design of the Aboriginal statue was informed by hand sketches of Joseph Nogolot by Peter Ciemitis, drawing on historical references. Joseph Nogolot was the first Noongar team captain, who led the 1879 Aboriginal team.