Badu Gili Celestial Lighting of the Sails

Badu Gili - meaning ‘water light’ in the language of the traditional owners of Bennelong Point, the Gadigal - is a free daily experience that explores First Nations stories in a spectacular six-minute projection on the Opera House’s eastern Bennelong sails.

Watch the sails illuminate with Badu Gili: Celestial, a new projection celebrating the work and stories of two female First Nations artists from Australia and New Zealand, created in collaboration between the Opera House, Biennale of Sydney and the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain.

As a celebration of the rich history and contemporary vibrancy of Australia’s First Nations culture, Badu Gili continues the traditions of Bennelong Point, formerly known as Tubowgule (where the knowledge waters meet), a gathering place for community, ceremony and storytelling for thousands of years.

Badu Gili: Celestial, the vibrant new animation of powerful First Nations storytelling features the work of Meriam artist, Gail Mabo from Mer Island in the Torres Strait, and international First Nations artist Nikau Hindin, a Te Rarawa and Ngāpuhi woman from Aotearoa/New Zealand.  

Using Mabo’s star maps constructed out of bamboo and cotton, and Hindin’s Māori aute (bark cloth), the digital animation explores the ancient practices of celestial navigation across two cultures, with vibrant symbols and sounds bringing to life the stories of our skies and waterways. 

A soundscape accompanies the animation, with powerful music by Nigel Westlake supporting Mabo's work, and Te Kahureremoa Taumata (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) and Te Kuru o te Marama Dewes (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Rangitihi) complementing Hindin’s.  

An important pillar of the Opera House’s year-round First Nations program, Badu Gili is an essential Sydney cultural experience for both visitors and the local community that aims to foster and celebrate a shared sense of belonging for all Australians.

Read the Sydney Opera House Reconciliation Action Plan.

Badu Gili: Celestial is presented in collaboration with the Biennale of Sydney and the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain

Tubowgule, where the Sydney Opera House stands today, has long been a meeting place for celebration, culture and community. Badu Gili continues this legacy, sharing both living  and ancient stories told through vibrant animated projections. The Badu Gili project was initiated by our inaugural Head of First Nations programming, Rhoda Roberts. Rhoda’s passionate advocacy and curation was instrumental in the project’s beginnings in 2017. Now in its fourth edition, Badu Gili is a pillar of the Opera House’s year-round First Nations program, demonstrating our commitment to foster and celebrate the rich history and vibrancy of First Nations people and culture.

Since Badu Gili began, we've collaborated with 19 exceptional First Nations artists, each bringing their unique perspective and creative voice through the animation and projection of their work. Cumulatively, the project centres and situates First Nation voices literally within the fabric of the building. As we look ahead, our ambition for Badu Gili is to showcase an expanded array of artists as a dynamic reflection of the depth and diversity of First Nations culture. We are inviting new artists from Australia and around the world to contribute their stories and perspectives to thread together the shared experiences and strengthens of First Nations voices, and better understand our place within the world. We hope this will deepen the connections forged between the Opera House, its audiences and the communities whose heritage we celebrate.  

Head of First Nations programming Michael Hutchings