Terry Collins, Coast Community News

Kariong artist Garry Purchase is one of the few Australians who can say they have had their artwork featured on the sails of the Sydney Opera House.

But that’s just what happened on Australia Day, when Mr Purchase’s painting Dancing in the Moonlight lit up the sails at the reflection held on Sydney Harbour at dawn.

“I was approached by the Australia Day Council and invited to have my artwork featured,” he said. I had a mixture of emotions.

“It was a massive thing, but on the other side as an Aboriginal man there was a hint of trepidation.

“The date means different things to different people so I was determined it needed to be done in a way that was respectful to all.”

Mr Purchase chose the Dancing in the Moonlight because the whale is a sacred spirit animal for many people along the coast – especially in the harbour and La Perouse, which is where he grew up.

“The whale is also my personal totem,” he said.

“As soon as first light started to show they illuminated the sails and it was a very surreal experience for me – to see something I painted on the kitchen table 10 years ago lighting up one of the most famous buildings in the world.

“It’s something you don’t ever imagine can happen.”

Mr Purchase said he was personally in favour of changing Australia Day to a date with no negative connotations.

“There is a lot of anger on both sides of the debate, but no one has come up with a solution to suit everybody,” he said.

“Meanwhile it is what it is and we as Aboriginal people need to be visible on that day, not hidden away.

“I’m proud of what I am, I’m proud of who I am and I’m proud of where I come from.

“My ancestors forged a path for me to walk now – and I’m gonna walk that path tall.

“That reflection for me is one of survival, of perseverance and of strength.

“This is for them.”

Going forward, Mr Purchase said the nation should focus on unity and sharing.

“You can’t expect others to have the same point of view if they haven’t walked in your shoes,” he said.

“I’m more interested in figuring out a way we can all move forward together.

“To have my art projected on the sails of one of the most famous buildings in the world is a huge thing.

“It doesn’t get more visible than that.”

This article appeared in Coast Community News, 29 January 2026.