Sydney Metro Northwest Places Public Art Program

The land around Sydney Metro Northwest stations is changing. The new high-density housing isn't always seen as appealing or attractive in these evolving landscapes. For the community, there can be reluctance and nostalgia for how things once were. As works continue to create new neighbourhoods, Landcom and Sydney Metro faced a challenge to build excitement and a sense of belonging early. They wanted to instil a sense of community ownership by involving the community in the transformation. Large cross sections of the community participated in creating impressive murals along temporary hoardings, working collaboratively with local schools and artists.

Sydney Metro Northwest brings incredible movement and connection benefits to the growing communities of the north west; Landcom and Sydney Metro wanted these benefits to go beyond transport and inspire the community’s acceptance and celebration of the new homes, shops, services and open spaces that will one day be a part of the station precincts. Allowing people to walk past vacant blocks on their way to a contemporary new station was not going to do this. The team established hoardings around land that was subject to future development and turned these into significant artworks and invigorated spaces.

Each mural is designed to celebrate the north west – the area’s ancient Dharug culture, its multiculturalism and agricultural traditions, and the constant sense of change and transformation that makes this a unique place in Greater Sydney. By embedding an early sense of excitement about what is to come, the project encourages a critical mass to spend time around these areas before they are fully developed. This is key to successful place making. People will have a fondness for the place, encouraging them to want to spend time here and be part of this community as it grows.

- The landmarks at five Sydney Metro stations celebrate the north west’s people, places, and cultures. ‘Casuarinas and Black Cockatoos’ at Tallawong Station honours the Dharug culture and natural environment, while ‘Caring for Country’ at Cherrybrook celebrates ancestral spirits and traditional practices. ‘The Golden Hour’ at Bella Vista, created with Glenwood High School students, reflects the past, present, and future of the north west. - Landcom and Sydney Metro collaborated with local artists to infuse colour and creativity into these evolving precincts. ‘The Golden Hour’ features student-created mandalas of local flora and fauna. At Kellyville, ‘It’s Transformation’ incorporates ideas from Crestwood High School students, showcased through The Story Factory. - Art and design initiatives are enhancing understanding of the Dharug culture’s resilience and beauty, and the land’s significance. The new Art Track Map promotes interactivity and knowledge-building, while Creative Communities engage students in the region’s transformation. - These artworks and the Art Track Map make art accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or circumstances, fostering unity and shared identity. They help people navigate the area and its transformation, connecting individuals from diverse backgrounds both physically and symbolically. Design by: Tallawong Station • Artwork: “Casuarinas and Black Cockatoos” • Artist: Tina Barahanos, Alexandra Byrne, and Leanne Watson • Type: Mural Kellyville Station • Artwork: “Everything Comes Alive!” • Artist: Nadia Hernández • Type: Installation Bella Vista Station • Artwork: “The Golden Hour” • Artist: Muralisto • Type: Mural Showground Station • Artwork: “See It, Be Here” • Artist: Georgia Hill • Type: Mural Cherrybrook Station • Artwork: “Caring for Country” • Artist: Maddison Gibbs • Type: Mural