Yira Designs / About
Phil Sillifant.
Wadandi Pibblemen Nyoongar artist.
MBA-qualified business strategist.
Founder & Principal, Yira Designs.
Phil Sillifant is a Wadandi Pibblemen Nyoongar man, multidisciplinary artist and business strategist based on Noongar Boodja in Boorloo (Perth). Through Yira Designs, he brings together creative practice, cultural identity and more than 20 years of corporate, commercial and community experience.
Phil learnt to draw and paint from his mother, Colleen Hill. His practice spans painting, sculpture, mixed media, pyrography, digital illustration, surface design, photography and film. Timber, fire and Australian opal feature in his sculpture, including Karla Boya Womra — Fire Rock Shield, winner of the 2025 First Nations Award at the City of Melville Art Awards and acquired by the City.
His photography and cultural documentation include the City of Melville’s Yagan Mia | Djinanginy project. He also develops original public-art concepts and commissioned work that connect creative expression with place.
Phil holds a Master of Business Administration from Curtin University (2019). His professional experience includes Indigenous enterprise development, procurement, reconciliation strategy, facilitation and governance. He wrote five Wesfarmers Reconciliation Action Plans and has supported Aboriginal enterprises with product development, commercial partnerships and access to national retail.
Through Yira Designs, Phil offers business mentoring and strategic support alongside Indigenous design and visual arts. He works with businesses, Aboriginal organisations, government, creative partners and private commissioners, bringing practical commercial judgement to each engagement.
Qualifications
Experience with a practical foundation.
Master of Business Administration — Curtin University, 2019
Graduate Certificate of Business — Curtin University, 2016
Certificate IV in Front Line Management — Australian Institute of Management, 2012
Supply Nation-registered Aboriginal business.
ABN 14 045 152 922.
The name & logo
Yira: up or above.
Yira is a Noongar word for up or above. The logo represents the mountains from which precious stones are sourced and Phil’s interest in capturing aerial images of boodja (Country).
Professional background & governance
Experience across enterprise and delivery.
Business & governance
Phil’s previous roles include National Indigenous Business Lead at Bunnings (2020–2026), Aboriginal Affairs management and advisory roles at Wesfarmers (2014–2020), and Aboriginal Development Coordinator at WesCEF (2011–2014).
His governance experience includes serving as a Board Director of Wunan Foundation (2021–2022), the executive officer function for the Wesfarmers RAP Steering Committee, and corporate board-level presentations and reporting.
Board Governance — Wunan Foundation
Board Director | 2021–2022
Phil served on the Board of Wunan Foundation, a substantial Aboriginal organisation based in Western Australia’s East Kimberley, working across Aboriginal economic development, education, employment, housing, health and community services.
During the year Phil joined the Board, Wunan reported $43.3 million in consolidated assets and $17.9 million in annual revenue and other income (FY2020–21).
His directorship provided governance experience within a complex Aboriginal organisation, contributing to his understanding of strategic oversight, organisational accountability, financial stewardship and the governance responsibilities associated with significant community and commercial operations.
As a director and named subcontractor representative at Indigenous Safety Barriers Australia, he managed steel road-safety barrier installation projects with more than $2 million in project value.
How Phil works
Phil combines commercial judgement with practical mentoring. He starts with the owner’s goals, tests the opportunity and works through the decisions and actions needed to move forward. The aim is to build capability that remains with the business.
In creative work, his approach connects material, place and purpose. Sculpture, painting, original design and photography offer different ways to explore Country and develop work for collectors, organisations and public settings.
Business Strategy & Mentoring Capability Statement (PDF, 4 pages) ↓
Visual Arts & Creative Commissions Capability Statement (PDF, 23 pages) ↓
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Explore the business and creative sides of the practice, or get in touch about your project.
Business Strategy → Visual Arts →
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