"Homecoming" - a 40m Long Mural for High Wycombe Train Station

I had the privilege of collaborating with the Public Transport Authority, Right Track, and the City of Kalamunda to create a lasting piece of public art. The location was unique: a 38-meter-long, 2.6-meter-high curved wall on Ibis Place in High Wycombe, near the newly established High Wycombe train station. The wall surrounds an electrical substation and is a prominent feature for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers accessing the station precinct. The goal was to design an artwork that would not only blend with its surroundings but also resonate with the community that interacts with it daily.

The design process began with a workshop involving a group of young people from the Right Track program. The participants identified key themes that would guide the artwork, including connection, the natural beauty of Kalamunda, and local flora and fauna. The animals that were particularly meaningful to the group—such as Black Cockatoos, Jacarandas, and Kangaroos—became central to the mural’s narrative.

Taking these themes to heart, I developed a design that transitions from the geometric shapes of the city to the organic, natural forms found in the surrounding hills. The left side of the wall features sharp, angular shapes that represent the city, while the right side showcases more realistic depictions of the animals—Black Cockatoos, Kangaroos, and Jacarandas—symbolizing the journey home from work through the familiar landscapes of the hills. The transformation of these geometric city animals into more lifelike forms of wildlife reflects the commuters’ own transition from the urban environment to the serene, natural beauty of their hometowns.

The mural’s unique, curved structure means that it must be walked around to fully experience the artwork, mimicking the unfolding landscape as viewed from a moving train. This design invites viewers to engage with the mural as they move through the space, creating a dynamic experience that is always in motion.