Ralph Appelbaum Associates

As an island nation, Australia has a profound and enduring relationship with the oceans and waterways that surround and traverse the continent. Over tens of thousands of years, the sea and inland waters have shaped Australia’s landscapes, ecosystems, and cultures, sustaining the many peoples who have lived here and continue to care for the country today. Shaped by the Sea explores this deep-time connection, drawing together scientific research and First Peoples’ knowledge to reveal the extraordinary natural forces that have formed the continent.

Through this dual perspective, the exhibition invites visitors to reconcile different ways of knowing and to build a richer, more holistic understanding of Australia’s ancient past. It highlights how Aboriginal cultural practices and scientific inquiry together offer insights into environmental change, resilience, and adaptation over millennia.

RAA was responsible for the comprehensive exhibition design of the 4,500 square foot exhibition, creating an engaging and cohesive spatial experience that supports learning, reflection, and dialogue. From a striking dugong skeleton to immersive digital installations, Shaped by the Sea brings together thousands of objects, stories, and specimens that collectively circumnavigate Australia’s history.

Visitors are immersed in thoughtfully designed displays of scientific material while also being invited to learn directly from Aboriginal knowledge systems that have been passed down through generations. The exhibition encourages reflection on humanity’s ongoing relationship with water and the responsibility of caring for fragile marine and freshwater environments.