In celebration of National Reconciliation Week, Melbourne & Olympic Parks (M&OP) and Tennis Australia (TA) are proud to display new artwork by First Nations Artist, Ky-ya Ward in Tennis HQ.

Ky-ya is a 19-year-old Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung, Ngurai illum Wurrung, German and Irish woman, who was commissioned to create the artwork for the 2022 Australian Open.

Ky-ya has designed jerseys for various sporting teams, including M&OP tenants Melbourne Storm, Melbourne Vixens and Melbourne Football Club.  

The artwork depicts a bird’s eye view of Melbourne Park during the Australian Open.

The Wedge-Tailed Eagle is the physical form of Bunjil, the Wurundjeri’s creator spirit, while the Bundaban (long-necked turtle) and Dulaiwurrung (platypus) represent two native animals within the Birrarung (Yarra River).

The meeting places in the middle of the artwork symbolise the arenas of Melbourne Park.  

The artwork has been installed on the ground floor of Tennis HQ, a place where people from both Melbourne & Olympic Parks and Tennis Australia come together.