To honor the historical and cultural significance of the site where Murdoch University’s new learning centre now stands, celebrated artist Christopher Pease was commissioned to create a large-scale artwork that acknowledges the deep Nyoongar connection to the Beeliar Wetlands. This significant body of water has long been recognised as an important place for women in Nyoongar culture, serving as a site of gathering, birthing, and cultural learning.
Pease’s artwork, Beeliar Boodjar Bidi, masterfully weaves together elements that pay tribute to this enduring relationship with the land. The work incorporates representations of native flora, a central meeting place, and a powerful reference to the Waugal, the rainbow serpent who is believed to have shaped the waterways and landscapes of the region.
Comprising an impressive 120 individual panels, Beeliar Boodjar Bidi commands attention within the vast atrium space of the student lounge, enveloping viewers in a striking visual narrative that bridges past and present. The intricate details and layered symbolism invite students, staff, and visitors to reflect on the history of the land beneath their feet and the continuing cultural significance of Beeliar Boodjar.
Beeliar Boodjar Bidi has now been officially acquired for the Murdoch University Art Collection, ensuring its place as a lasting tribute to Nyoongar heritage and an enduring source of education and inspiration for future generations.