Hailing from the Bidjigal Clan group and the La Perouse Aboriginal community, Jordan Ardler has left her mark at the Sydney Swans.  

Upon entry to the Sydney Swans HQ and community centre a sweeping Aboriginal artwork is emblazoned onto the façade of the foyer. Titled “Wuri Wuri”, translating from Dharawal meaning “Sunshine”, the artwork - which was first created on canvas and reinterpreted onto glass - can be seen through multiple lenses.  

According to the artist, it’s a reflection of the Sydney Swans community, surrounding areas and an acknowledgement to the Aboriginal lands on which the headquarters stands on. It pays respect to players of the Swans and Elders of the local communities past, present and emerging. 

The vision of the Swans shares similar values to Aboriginal culture. This artwork adapts that connection in shared stories in visual outcomes. Below Ardler shares a breakdown on the painstaking detail within the artwork.  

 Bottom symbols

  • Crowd, families, staff, community, past players, Ancestors of the local community – protection barrier – eye view of the crowd. 

 Central symbol – connecting 

  • We are gathered on the land/s and waterways of the Gadigal and Bidiagal clan groups
  • Central Symbol – Home ground – 2 connecting – Bidiagal & Gadigal – Connecting waterways
  • All just passing through > leave the club in a better place than when you joined
  • We pay our respects to all Elders past, present and emerging.

Hand-painted dots 

  • We acknowledge the relationship with their Country on which we walk, live, work and play on.
  • Identity – Using my hands for the dots – connecting to country, people and place

White songline 

  • Club relocated from South Melbourne in 1982 to establish a new home – early times were challenging
  • White line travel
  • Mullet Haul – Net and boat

Four surrounding circular symbols 

  • Built on years of hard work, commitment, belief Respect – nurture, protect it.
  • Nurture, Protect - Bottom – open arms protection of the club

Five white connecting symbols 

  • Family, the teams, the fans, the supporters and the members
  • Whale story – five islands

Teaching and learning > building sustainability for the future 

  • The Swans is one of the oldest sporting clubs in the world, beginning in 1874
  • Oldest living culture in the world
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Wuri Wuri at Sydney Swans HQ

Hailing from the Bidjigal Clan group and the La Perouse Aboriginal community, Jordan Ardler has left her mark at the Sydney Swans HQ.

Ardler has established herself as a well-known artist in the community and has undertaken work for numerous clients including Lendlease, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Sydney Roosters, The Butterfly Foundation, WPP and Government and non-Government sectors. 

Her latest work is open for the community to view Monday – Friday from 10am to 4pm and on select game days via accessing the Members Bar.