Ballina Public Art – Someone’s Always Watching You

Prominently displayed on the River Street façade of the Woolworths Building, Someone’s Always Watching You is a deeply spiritual corten steel public artwork by respected Bundjalung artist Albert Digby Moran.

The piece draws on Digby’s reflections of growing up on an island in the Richmond River, where a wise Elder once told him “No matter what you do, someone’s always watching you.” In time, Digby understood this to mean that his ancestors’ spirits are ever-present — protecting, guiding, and watching over his community.

Through flowing lines and layered patterns, the work captures the movement of ancestral spirits around Bundjalung Country, representing the deep spiritual connection between people, place, and the unseen world. It stands as a tribute to the strength and continuity of culture within the Northern Rivers.

Albert Digby Moran (1948–2020) was one of the Northern Rivers’ most recognised Aboriginal artists, celebrated for his vibrant, storytelling works inspired by his Bundjalung ancestry. His art reflected his lifelong connection to Country, culture, and community. Over a nationally and internationally acclaimed career, Digby’s work was exhibited widely and continues to inspire future generations. He passed away in Lismore in 2020, leaving behind an enduring artistic and cultural legacy.