Devonport City Council

AllDigital IllustrationCollaborationPublic Art
Written By Caleb Nichols-Mansell

Laser-cut steel and projected light carrying the First Palawa story through Devonport’s Living City.

Commissioned by Devonport City Council and produced by RANT Arts, I contributed a suite of artworks to the Devonport Sound and Light Show, From Sky to Sea, part of the city’s Living City redevelopment. My designs included projected visuals and laser-cut steel poles featuring motifs that tell the story of the First Palawa. Although the projections were later retired due to being unlicensed, the physical components remain, offering a permanent reminder of our presence, story, and place. A video showcasing the highlights of this major public artwork is available on the Council’s YouTube.

This project was commissioned, licensed and resourced by Devonport City Council and produced by RANT Arts with contributions from Darryl Rogers, Dave Gough, Mitchem Everett, Bianca Templar and Caleb Nichols-Mansell.

Client: Devonport City Council
Project Type: Digital Illustration, Collaboration, Public Art
Location: Devonport, Tasmania
Year: 2023

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Caleb Nichols-Mansell

Caleb Nichols-Mansell moves between Country, culture, and contemporary practice — weaving stories from land, spirit, and community into powerful visual languages. As a proud Palawa man, Caleb's work bridges the ancient and the evolving, reimagining Aboriginal knowledge systems through design, public art, and digital storytelling.

His practice is rooted in Country and carried forward through site-responsive interventions, graphic and surface design, and large-scale public commissions. Through intricate textures, flowing linework, and bold organic forms, Caleb invites reflection on identity, resilience, and the enduring strength of Palawa people.

His works have been commissioned by leading institutions across Australia, including MONA, University of Tasmania, Arts Tasmania, Australian Fashion Week, Lifeline Australia, and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra; embedding stories of survival, connection, and contemporary Aboriginal identity into the cultural, public, and built environment.

www.calebnicholsmansell.com.au

https://www.calebnicholsmansell.com.au
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