Uncovered: Balgarra Designs

Wiradjuri artist and sole creator of Balgarra Designs, Joanne Cassady is the 2024 ‘For the Look’ Uncovered finalist - a program that platforms Australian creators and makers in the Sydney Opera House Shop.

With a unique blend of creativity, culture and entrepreneurial spirit, Joanne has built a brand that celebrates her passion for fashion and art while honouring her Wiradjuri heritage. We sat down with Joanne to learn more about her journey, the story behind her collections and what inspires her work.

Tell us about yourself and how you started Balgarra Designs.

I was born and raised in Redfern, Sydney, and have always been a creative person. I remember spending hours drawing with felt pens and pencils, though I never really painted. One day, my cousin, who had been creating earrings from jacaranda pods, asked me to help her paint. I thought to myself, "I can’t do this!" But she encouraged me to give it a try, and I haven’t stopped since.

That spark led to regular paint nights with my cousin, sister and a friend, where we’d get together to create. What started out as just making earrings expanded, and soon we were selling our products at market stalls around Sydney. We did this for several years before life took us in different directions. We all got married, had children, travelled and worked, but I always kept pursuing my art professionally. In 1996, two years after my son Reece was born, I officially founded Balgarra Designs on my own.

“It’s a very hands-on process, and we do everything here in Australia, which I’m really proud of.”

Can you walk us through the process of creating your signature jacaranda earrings?

One thing that surprises people is that jacaranda trees are actually native to South America, not Australia. But they’ve become iconic in Sydney, especially the purple-flowered variety, which blooms from late spring to early summer.

The process begins with collecting jacaranda pods, which we gather from various spots in Sydney, particularly Camden. Once we’ve got them, we open the pods and remove the seeds. After cleaning and preparing them, we shape and hand-paint each pod individually. Depending on the size, this can take a lot of time – sometimes up to a week just for one earring, especially if I’m working with smaller pieces. Once the painting is done, we apply a glossy finish to protect the artwork, then attach sterling silver hooks and links, and finally package them beautifully in gift boxes.

It’s a very hands-on process, and we do everything here in Australia, which I’m really proud of.

“My designs are always evolving. Currently, I’m exploring my Wiradjuri roots more deeply, especially through my art.”

Where do you get your artistic inspiration?

My designs are always evolving. Currently, I’m exploring my Wiradjuri roots more deeply, especially through my art. I grew up in Sydney, where I was mostly exposed to more general Aboriginal art, but as I’ve learned more about my own heritage, I’ve discovered that the traditional artwork of my people is quite different from what I had seen. Since that discovery, I’ve been shifting towards more line work rather than dot work.

Like songwriters who might be inspired by what they’re going through and write a song about it, my art is a way of expressing not only what’s happening in my life but also honouring my cultural history. I’ve recently created a collection about my mum – who passed away and was part of the Stolen Generations. Another design, Wiradjuri Lines, incorporates the traditional line work that I’m currently drawn to. These lines are inspired by the ancient scar tree art practices of my people, which predates colonisation.

What is your favourite piece in your Opera House Uncovered collection?

The Three Rivers would have to be my favourite – I just love mixing the calming blues and aquas with the earthy tones. Like most of my pieces, it’s inspired by my Wiradjuri heritage and depicts the water and fire of a campsite.

What does it mean to you to have your work featured at the Opera House?

It’s beautifully overwhelming. To go from creating earrings with Jacaranda pods to seeing my pieces showcased at such an iconic building feels almost surreal – I have to pinch myself. I just keep thinking that all the hard work and late nights have paid off. I love what I do and am incredibly grateful for this opportunity.