Creativity and construction: Metro Tunnel artists feature at Design Week

The Metro Tunnel is much more than a rail project – the new stations feature world-class art and design, bringing creativity, art and construction together to create something truly meaningful and enduring in our urban environment.

Melburnians had a chance to hear about the project’s artwork during a recent event featuring Maree Clarke, the artist behind the project’s line-wide artwork Tracks, designer Stephan Banham, whose work One Day in Our Park sits at the Metro Tunnel’s western entrance in Kensington, and architect Jefa Greenaway, the designer of the Albert Rd Pavilion at Anzac Station.

The panel discussion at Federation Square, hosted by broadcaster Namila Benson and titled Creativity and Construction: Public Art and Infrastructure, was part of Melbourne Design Week, an initiative of the Metro Tunnel’s Creative Program and Open House in collaboration with the NGV.

Ms Clarke, Mr Banham and Mr Greenaway discussed how their permanent artwork as part of the project is reshaping Melbourne’s urban landscape.

Maree Clarke’s line-wide artwork is a collection of large floor mosaics made from granite that has been cut by a waterjet and assembled by hand.

The work spans all five stations and showcases the footprints of native animals found across the traditional lands and waters of the five Kulin Nation clans – Wadawurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, and Bunurong / Boonwurrung.

Ms Clarke said that creating the artwork had been an “interesting journey.”

Engaging with the five clans of the Kulin nation and thinking about what we are leaving for future generations... for me, it’s about looking after the environment, and thinking about which of these animals will still be here in 100 years’ time.

A pavilion shelter inspired by the form of a she-oak frond, designed by Jefa Greenaway, has been installed near Anzac Station’s Albert Road entrance. Mr Greenaway said he was delighted to see the space used by the community.

“There’s nothing more pleasurable than seeing the reveal and then seeing people actually occupy and engage with [the space]” Mr Greenaway said. “In urban spaces, people need places to gather and connect... It’s all worth it when you see people actually using [the space] how it was intended.”

Stephen Banham’s One Day in our Park is a playful exploration of intimate and everyday stories that happen in a public park.

Located alongside a park at the western entrance of the tunnel, the creative design is made up of mosaic tiles depicting phrases inspired by the community.

“The opportunity to articulate community love of this park is truly a wonderful legacy,” Mr Banham said.

The Metro Tunnel is the biggest upgrade of Melbourne’s train network since the City Loop opened in 1981 and will transform the way people move around the city.

The project’s five new stations feature world-class art and design and will become new architectural landmarks for the city. •