The site of this work, Canopy, has a shared history, but there are three constants that have always been here: the land the artwork is on, the Wangal and Gadigal clans that care for this country, and the night sky above us.
Discover the mesmerizing Night Sky artwork at the Pier St Underpass in Darling Harbour, Sydney—a captivating installation that invites visitors to reflect on creation, dreaming, wonder, and the deep connection we share with the universe. This immersive experience by acclaimed urban Aboriginal artist Jacob Nash encourages everyone to stand beneath the night sky and contemplate both the stories we inherit and the new narratives we create.
Jacob Nash, whose Mother’s country is Daly River and who has lived on Gadigal land for over 20 years, draws on his rich cultural heritage to explore his personal response to this land. His artwork imagines what the night sky looked and felt like on April 28th, 1770—the evening before Captain Cook’s arrival—marking a poignant moment in Australian history.
The Night Sky installation serves as a powerful reminder of our place in the cosmos and the shared stories that connect us all, transcending time and culture. As Australia commemorates 250 years since that historical event, Nash’s work honours the past while inspiring reflection on the future, encouraging all Australians to consider the stories yet to be told beneath the vast, ever-present sky above Darling Harbour.
Visit the Pier St Underpass to experience this evocative piece that beautifully blends Indigenous heritage with contemporary art, offering a space for reflection, connection, and celebration of Australia’s rich cultural narrative.