Liberty Square

Liberty Square has been redeveloped to improve connection, function and access with a new accessible seating area on elevated decking surrounding the heritage listed State Square Banyan Tree.

The revitalised park provides a safe and pedestrian friendly space with dedicated and accessible short term parking for the Supreme Court and connections to the Civic and State Square Precinct.

The landscape respects and complements the surrounding institutional buildings and existing plants within the precinct and features local plant species suitable to conditions in the precinct.

Liberty Square features an astronomical observation pillar commemorating the establishment of the longitude of Port Darwin in 1883 by Pietro Baracchi and a memorial commemorating the Darwin Rebellion.

The Darwin Rebellion was a series of demonstrations causing the Administrator to leave the Territory, which influenced the naming of Liberty Square.

Artwork by Larrakia/Mayalli artist Keelan Fejo has been integrated into Liberty Square as part of the bench seating surrounding the Banyan Tree.

Picture above: Artist Keelan Fejo with his artwork installed into bench seating at Liberty Square. Image credit: C+K Public Art

Artist statement

Keelan Gamadang Douglas Fejo (Larrakia/Mayalli)

Ways Under the Banyan Tree, 2024

Series of five steel cut seating design

Larrakia stories and traditions have been passed down generations over many years. They explain how we used to live, what types of food we lived off and where we took shelter to survive in locations around Darwin. Ways Under the Banyan Tree explores what my Larrakia elders told me through their stories – elders of the past who lived and experienced hunting, gathering and sheltering under the Banyans.

Each design provides a different effect and belief about living off land. Together they give the feeling and presence of how many Larrakia ancestors came to be, how far we have come and what we have accomplished through story-telling and passing on knowledge.

I hope when people visit this artistically created site they admire my design – the beautiful scenery and the spectacle of the Banyan tree. I hope they feel a spiritual connection to the land and feel the past and present ways of my people, the Larrakia people, through the story of my designs.

The images in this artwork embody traditional knowledge of the Larrakia community. Dealing with any part of the images for any purpose that has not been authorised by the custodians is a serious breach of the customary laws of the Larrakia community and may also breach the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). For enquiries about permitted reproduction of these images and cultural consents to use the traditional knowledge embodied in this work, contact Mark Motlop.