Sydney Metro’s new M1 Northwest & Bankstown Line has quickly become a cultural landmark, with over 1.4 million trips taken in its first week. But for many commuters, the journey offers more than just a ride—it’s an immersive art experience. Thanks to the Metro Art program in collaboration with Create NSW, large-scale public art installations now transform the stations into vibrant galleries. These artworks, created by both emerging and established Australian artists, offer a unique opportunity to engage with art in public spaces, enriching the daily commute with creativity and cultural depth.
The Magic Circle, by Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro, is a striking public art installation that mirrors the complexities of modern urban spaces. Positioned at No. 1 Elizabeth Place (Martin Place), the work features an intricate assembly of objects, reflecting the hidden systems of human life. Drawing parallels between the organised chaos of ant nests and human cityscapes, it invites viewers to consider how cities, like nature, are formed through interconnected, often unseen, structures. The piece challenges the relationship between the built environment and natural processes.
Strategically positioned behind The Magic Circle lies the reimagined Ceramic Wall Mural by Douglas Annand and more recently, Stevie Fieldsend. This vibrant artwork features a striking mosaic of ceramic tiles that celebrate the natural world, with abstract depictions of flora and fauna. The mural’s rich blues and intricate patterns provide a beautiful contrast to the contemporary aesthetic of The Magic Circle, offering commuters another engaging visual experience. Through Annand’s original work and Fieldsend’s reinterpretation, the mural adds a sense of organic movement and harmony to the station’s art collection.
Electrolight enhanced the art collection’s visual impact through innovative lighting solutions. Key to this were ERCO’s advanced luminaires, including the Gimbal, which offer precision control and excellent glare reduction, ensuring optimal illumination for intricate artworks like The Magic Circle. Complementing this, Parscan spotlights deliver lighting excellence, while the Atrium Double Focus downlights provide uniform, high-output lighting, creating a balanced ambiance.
As a continuation of the Metro Art program, Waterloo Station is home to Nicole Monks’ Footprints on Gadigal Nura. A striking artwork that pays homage to the deep cultural and historical connection of the Gadigal people to the land. Inspired by the traditional walking trails and stories of the Gadigal ancestors, the piece features a series of footsteps rendered in metal and embedded within the urban landscape. These footsteps symbolise the enduring presence of the Gadigal people and invite viewers to reflect on the layers of history beneath modern-day Redfern-Waterloo. The artwork bridges past and present, encouraging commuters to acknowledge the cultural significance of the land they traverse.
To enhance the visibility and impact of Footprints on Gadigal Nura, WSP employed ERCO’s Kona luminaires. Known for its robust design and precise optics, the Kona ensures the incredible artwork is illuminated with sharp, consistent light.
Continuing the Metro Art program’s celebration of creativity, Barangaroo Station features In Time We Shall by Khaled Sabsabi, a thought-provoking installation exploring themes of connection, transformation, and cultural memory. This artwork uses intricate visual narratives to engage viewers, fostering a sense of reflection and discovery within the station. To ensure the piece’s full impact and visibility, Webb Australia implemented both ERCO and Ligman Australia luminaires, enhancing its depth and vibrancy while creating an immersive experience for commuters.
Photography by Jackie Chan
