FIVE Noongar Artists are contributing to public art on the Metronet Morley-Ellenbrook line project creating pieces that celebrate Noongar culture and connection to Country.
The artists and their works include Whadjuk, Ballardong and Yamatji Noongar artist Marcia McGuire, with award-winning Australian designer Penelope Forlano, who are creating glass skylights for the five stations on the Morley-Ellenbrook line, with each skylight sharing and honouring concepts of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal beliefs.
Marcia is also creating metal arbour screens that draw inspiration from Ellenbrook being a ‘place of looking’, and feature the circular stump of the Balga, as well as gum and peppermint tree leaves.
Nimunburr, Yawuru and Ballardong Noongar artist Kambarni is creating patterned metal arbour screens for Ellenbrook station’s platform, with the designs paying respect to the natural environment and representing the movement of people through changing landscapes.
Noongar artists Nathan Corunna and Darren Hutchens will paint a bright, bold mural to surround Ellenbrook station’s electrical building, representing the Karla Nara Gyinning Bidi (Ellenbrook train track). Bidis represent the seasonal movements of animals and people.
Finally, Noongar artist Peter Farmer, in collaboration with Jason Hirst, is creating four arrival sculptures that will be positioned in pairs to reflect how Noongar people and families travelled together on Country in search of food and water sources.