How a Wallabies winger uses art to connect with his culture

Dylan Pietsch designed the jersey he and his Wallabies teammates wore against the Lions last year. (Getty Images: Darrian Traynor) Link copiedShareShare articleDylan Pietsch is not defined by his talent on the rugby union field. As impressive as his performances on the wing for the Wallabies and Western Force have been, the Wiradjuri man's connection to Country comes to the fore when you chat with him. The 28-year-old expresses himself through his artwork, a passion he discovered while growing up in the NSW Riverina. His Wulwaay Art business gives him a way to embrace his culture and cope with the rigours of a professional rugby career. "When I was younger I was always pretty creative and loved drawing and stuff," Pietsch said. "I started my business about four years ago and it gave me a space away from rugby to kind of get away and let myself go and be creative. "I think it's a massive thing. For me, connecting with culture is a big thing. "My schedule is so hectic. I'm not able to go out bush with elders too much, so art is a way for me to connect with culture." Pietsch's painting extends beyond the canvas. He was asked to design the jerseys worn by the Wallabies, Force and NSW Waratahs during the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia. It was an honour for Pietsch, who became the 15th First Nations player to represent the Wallabies when he made his Test debut in 2024. The fact he scored a try in the Wallabies' 22-12 win in the third Test against the Lions in Sydney only added to the significance. Pietsch's dot paintings have also adorned rugby boots proudly worn by his teammates. "I thought it [art] would just be a space to kick back, but then some people actually enjoy my artwork, which is interesting," Pietsch said. "To do the Lions tour and the Wallabies jersey was awesome. "My next big thing is I want my art to be on a plane, so I'd like to tick that off." Art has helped Pietsch navigate challenges he has faced in his personal and professional lives. He has spoken publicly about his mental health struggles and injury has been an obstacle he has recently overcome. During the Wallabies' greatest hour of the 2025 Test season, the shock 38-22 defeat of South Africa in Johannesburg last August, Pietsch broke his jaw following a collision with Springboks captain Siya Kolisi. He was forced from the field minutes after scoring the Wallabies' first try. A lengthy stint on the sidelines followed but Pietsch did return for the Wallabies later in the year. Another hurdle needed to be cleared when his start to the current Super Rugby Pacific season with the Force was delayed until round eight because of a foot injury. Dylan Pietsch has faced hurdles already in his young Test career. (Getty Images: Kenta Harada) "When your mind is racing and everything is going on, it's a space that calms me down and lets me be who I want to be in a creative way. "Definitely with all the injuries, it's something that does help me a lot. It is tough being injured." Since recovering from injury earlier this season, Pietsch has been enjoying a rich vein of form. It came as little surprise Rugby Australia and the Force offered a contract extension through to the end of 2028, which he signed earlier this month. If a Wallabies squad was selected next week, Pietsch would deserve to be among this first picked. Dylan Pietsch has been superb for the Force this season. (Getty Images: Mark Nolan) He has a massive work rate on both sides of the ball and is showing there is more to his game than the ability to bust defensive lines or finish off attacking movements. Pietsch's creativity shone through when he executed a brilliant one-handed offload to Zac Lomax in the build-up to Henry Robertson's try during the Force's 31-26 win over the Crusaders in Perth in April. As strongly as Pietsch has been playing, the Leeton Phantoms junior does not feel he is the finished product. "I don't think I'm anywhere near where I want to be," Pietsch said. "I just want to keep building to a place where I'm comfortable where my game is at. "As a whole, I don't want to be someone who is good at one thing and bad at the other. "I want to be a well-rounded player. There are always going to be things that aren't perfect and I'm never going to be perfect. "But I try to get better every week and see what I can work on every week." Dylan Pietsch is not afraid to take the direct approach against opposition defences. (AAP: Lukas Coch) Lomax's much-publicised code switch and dual international Mark Nawaqanitawase's availability next year has led to speculation about how the Wallabies' wing pairing will shape up at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Should they maintain their form through to next year, Pietsch and Max Jorgensen may have claims to be at the front of the queue when the time comes for Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss to select his first-choice squad. Mindful that competition can only benefit his game, Pietsch is up f

How a Wallabies winger uses art to connect with his culture

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