A dynamic projection displaying the works of celebrated First Nations artists, Gooniyandi elder Mervyn Street and Inuk custodian Ningiukulu Teevee. Badu Gili: Story Keepers will appear on the Opera House’s Eastern Bennelong sails five times a night from sunset.

The project marks the third year of a creative partnership between the Sydney Opera House, Biennale of Sydney and the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain. The work of both artists is animated by Sydney-based creative agency Vandal.

Mervyn Street’s distinctive artistic practice draws upon his lifetime as a stockman in the Kimberley and advocacy of cultural preservation through language and living on country. Kinngaimmiut Inuk artist Ningiukulu Teevee creates visual art rooted in Inuit myths and legends, keeping traditional stories alive while offering her unique perspective on Inuit culture.

The first chapter is set on Gooniyandi Country in the Kimberley where dust, fire and wind lift ancestral voices from scorching heat to moonlight. The narrative then shifts to Teevee’s homeland of Nunavut in the Arctic, where ice and snow cradle stories in stillness as Raven and Owl perform timeless tales of creation, kinship and transformation.

“My mum and Dad used to work. My Dad was just like a slave working over and over, everyday… I’m going back through my history, I’m doing it for the people, doing it for everybody, not for myself. I’m passing on my knowledge. This was a big project. I didn’t know it was going to go this far. It’s been a long journey for my art and now I can’t believe I’m doing this with the Sydney Opera House. I’m giving my story to the people.” – Mervyn Street

“I am honoured to be part of this animation project, which brings to life the legend of The Owl and the Raven — a story that has stayed with me since childhood. I first heard it in school from an Elder whose storytelling captured my imagination. The themes of curiosity, transformation, and the balance between patience and pride continue to inspire me. Through this animation, I explore how Raven’s restless spirit and Owl’s calm wisdom reflect human nature and the lessons found in our traditions. This work connects Inuit storytelling with contemporary art, celebrating the voices, memories, and teachings that guide my creative journey.” – Ningiukulu Teevee