One of the longest public art installations in Australia is set to make its debut on the METRONET Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project as it starts to come to life this month.
Local artists Chris Nixon and Kyle Hughes-Odgers (collaborating as ‘Moving Colour’) will design and install the impressive graphic art trail that will span seven kilometres along the Armadale Line between Victoria Park/Carlisle Station and Beckenham.
The one-of-a-kind line-wide piece will conceptually link the stations and public open spaces through engaging and layered stories from the local community. These will be captured in colour, form and patterns on the concrete piers of the viaduct, skate parks and ground-level surfaces along the line. The first viaduct piers will be painted in Welshpool in coming months.
The graphic art trail was selected for its connection to the project site and artists’ unique approach to community engagement, which involves consulting the youngest and most senior members of the community.
Throughout July and August, Chris and Kyle worked with four local primary schools and two seniors’ centres to create designs and drawings inspired by personal experiences and stories.
The goal was to capture youthful excitement and the concept of legacy, so the designs reflect community input for all generations to enjoy.
Ongoing consultation with community and development of the artwork will be finalised by the end of the year, and the artists will host a series of talks for the wider community before the full art trail installation begins.
The Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project will also include other public artwork such as integrated graphics on the glazing of all stations, a large, perforated screen at Cannington Station, and a Noongar-themed statement artwork at Queens Park Station.