FOUNDING DIRECTOR

Mal Wood is the founder and former owner of Mal Wood Foundry, which provided high-quality bronze casting services to artists across Australia for over 30 years. He specialises in lost-wax casting and bronze sculpture for public art, and has guided artists from concept through to casting, installation, and completion.

After three decades running a commercial foundry, Mal stepped away from the business to focus on work that reflects his values — giving back to the community, sharing skills, and supporting artists to lead their own creative and cultural outcomes. He was increasingly aware of the lack of Indigenous-led public art in civic spaces, and of the barriers many Aboriginal artists face in accessing large-scale sculpture and durable materials.

On Country Public Art grew from a desire to help change that: to support First Nations artists to work within their own visual language, build sculptural skills, and see their stories represented in public places in meaningful, lasting ways.

Mal’s work is grounded in collaboration, technical excellence, and a strong commitment to artist-led and culturally respectful practice.

DIRECTOR

Kelli Cole is a Warumungu and Luritja curator with extensive experience delivering major national and international First Nations art projects. She has worked across galleries, museums, and public spaces, supporting artists and communities to present work with cultural integrity and care.

Kelli brings strong relationships across government, councils, the arts sector, and community. She is highly experienced in advising on cultural protocols, supporting artist-led decision making, and navigating the placement of public artworks on Country.

Her role within On Country Public Art focuses on stakeholder engagement, site development, and ensuring projects are guided by cultural authority, community priorities, and best practice in First Nations-led public art.

DIRECTOR

Jonathan Jones is a Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi multi-disciplinary artist with extensive experience delivering installations and public artworks in Australia and internationally. His practice is grounded in collaboration, research, and long-term engagement with First Nations communities.

Jonathan is known for working closely with artists, Elders, and cultural knowledge holders to ensure projects are guided by local perspectives and cultural authority. He brings strong skills in cultural consultation, developing artist advisory groups, and supporting processes that prioritise community priorities and knowledge systems.

At On Country Public Art, Jonathan provides artist advisory leadership and cultural guidance, helping ensure projects are artist-led, culturally respectful, and grounded in place.

DIRECTOR

Kristen Graham is an experienced project manager with a strong background in business activation, stakeholder engagement, and arts-led project delivery. She has managed complex, multi-partner projects and brings a practical, outcomes-focused approach to planning and implementation.

Kristen has a proven track record in grant management and reporting, including ARIIA-funded projects, and is skilled in budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and compliance with governance requirements. She supports clear communication across artists, communities, partners, and funding bodies.

At On Country Public Art, Kristen oversees administration, communications, and project governance, helping ensure projects are delivered transparently, on time, and in alignment with the organisation’s charitable purpose.