Bayley Mifsud is a prolific artist. Her lively and colourful Indigenous designs light up canvases in private homes, decorate Melbourne’s city walls, adorn sporting uniforms, fashion and homewares products and even add colour to Cadbury Roses chocolate boxes.
So it was no surprise that when Swatch went looking for local talent to collaborate with on its famed Destination Art collection, the Peek Whurrong artist was at the top of the list.
The result is her colourful creation – Tirrike – inspired by the spirit of the city she now calls home, Naarm (Melbourne).
“I never imagined designing a timepiece,” Mifsud says. “But now that I have, it feels like an exciting way to carry culture in a wearable form. It means our stories and culture are being shared in new spaces, and that’s incredibly powerful.”
Mifsud (aka Merindah-Gunya) has the honour of being the first Aboriginal artist to collaborate with Swatch, transforming her connection to Country into a bold, wearable work of art.
Born in the coastal town of Warrnambool, she says the artwork is inspired by the natural elements of the city’s landscape “particularly the Birrarung [Yarra River]”, Mifsud explains. “Not only is it a significant natural feature of Naarm, but a place of great importance to Naarm’s traditional owners, the Wurundjeri people.
”The winding lines of the Yarra are captured in flowing, organic forms on the timepiece. Emu and kangaroo tracks evoke the movement of animals and people across the land. The central motif on the watch face – a meeting place surrounded by figures – reflects the rich history of gathering on this land for thousands of years.
“I love that Naarm is both ancient and modern. It holds thousands of stories, and yet there are always new stories being created here, too. I’m so inspired by the resilience of this place.’’
For Mifsud, the watch’s name, Tirrike (pronounced tira-key), is deeply personal. It’s the Aboriginal name of Bayley’s younger sister Zali, meaning happiness and hope in Peek Whurrong. It’s a tribute to family, future generations and the hope carried forward through culture. /embed
“[My sister] represents the next generation: proud, connected and hopeful,” Mifsud shares. “Naming the watch after her felt like a way to honour that bond and celebrate the positive shift we’ve seen in how Aboriginal culture is being embraced.”
Coming from a large, close-knit family, Mifsud continues to draw inspiration from her siblings and community.
“Family time is really important to me,” she says. “My family inspire me every day, and I love telling our stories through my art.” The watch’s gender-neutral palette is intentional.
Mifsud chose earthy, vibrant colours to reflect the elements and emotions of Country while maintaining inclusivity. Silver hour and minute hands, along with a white seconds hand, complete the clean, modern design.
For Mifsud, collaborating with Swatch was more than an artistic milestone, it was a chance to make Indigenous stories more accessible. “Swatch was always such a recognisable brand growing up. I always wanted one because they were known for their bold, creative designs,” she says.
“I love that Swatch is for everyday people. When wearing this watch I hope people feel a sense of connection. I want it to be a daily reminder that they’re on Aboriginal land and to encourage reflection on what that means.”
