Jamie Goldsmith Mural
Artist
Jimmy C & Elizabeth Close
Location
Frank’s Lane, Adelaide
Created in 2018 by internationally acclaimed muralist Jimmy C (James Cochran) in collaboration with Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri and Narrunga artist Elizabeth Close, this striking portrait honours Jamie Goldsmith, one of South Australia’s most respected First Nations cultural leaders. Seeking a prominent site for a tribute that reflected Jamie’s contribution to community and culture, the artists chose the walls of Frank’s Lane, where his portrait now greets visitors travelling through the East End.
Rendered using Jimmy C’s signature pointillist technique and enriched by Elizabeth Close’s Indigenous artistic practice, the mural combines thousands of layered spray-painted marks with symbolic elements that acknowledge Country, culture and connection. The result is both a powerful portrait and a celebration of the enduring strength of Kaurna knowledge and identity.
Jamie Goldsmith is a Kaurna and Narungga man from the Adelaide Plains and Yorke Peninsula, carrying the Kaurna name Ngungana Kartemeru (First Born Kookaburra) Ilyaitpinna. The son of the late Uncle Stevie “Gadlabarti” Goldsmith, Jamie has continued his family’s legacy as a cultural educator, mentor, musician and advocate, dedicating his life to sharing Aboriginal knowledge, language and tradition.
An internationally recognised Yidaki (didgeridoo) artist, Jamie has performed throughout Australia and overseas, appearing at major cultural events, festivals and ceremonies while welcoming audiences to Kaurna Country through music and storytelling. As a member of both the Paitya and Taikurtinna Dance Groups, he has led performances and workshops across Australia and internationally, using dance and music to share Aboriginal culture with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Beyond performance, Jamie has made an enduring contribution to the preservation of Kaurna language and culture. Working alongside the University of Adelaide’s Linguistics Department, he has supported the revitalisation and teaching of the Kaurna language for future generations. For more than a decade he also worked as an educator at the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre at Warriparinga, leading cultural tours and teaching visitors about the deep relationship between Kaurna people and the landscapes of the Adelaide Plains.
His work has extended across community leadership, including roles at Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, mentoring Aboriginal youth, supporting cultural education programs and working within South Australia’s correctional system to support Aboriginal people in custody. Jamie also performs internationally as part of the acclaimed electronic duo Electric Fields, where his Yidaki performances alongside vocalist Zaachariaha Fielding showcase the richness and evolution of contemporary Aboriginal culture on the world stage.
More than a portrait, the mural stands as a lasting acknowledgement of Jamie Goldsmith’s generosity, leadership and commitment to empowering future generations. It celebrates a life dedicated to strengthening culture, preserving language and creating opportunities for Aboriginal communities, while inviting visitors to reflect on the enduring presence and significance of First Nations culture within the East End.
