Whiteman Park Underpass Murals
As part of the METRONET Morley–Ellenbrook Line project, I had the honour of collaborating with artist Rohin Kickett to create Seen/Unseen, a large-scale mural for the pedestrian underpass at Whiteman Park Station. Together, we set out to create a visually striking and conceptually layered artwork that would reflect the unique relationship between water, land and people in the Bennett Brook catchment.
The mural is spread across both sides of the underpass, with each wall exploring different aspects of this vital landscape. The north wall focused on the Seen and the Unseen: the surface waters of Bennett Brook and the underground Gnangara Mound aquifer. By layering aerial views with hydro-geographical mapping, we aimed to invite viewers to reflect on how we visualise place, and how so much of what shapes it lies beneath the surface.
Rohin’s style brought a deeply cultural dimension to the work, combining Western mapping techniques with Noongar storytelling. His influence allowed us to present Country as a deeply interconnected space, where every element – from the visible creeks to the underground flows – plays a role in sustaining life.
On the south wall, we mirrored the format of the north but shifted the perspective. The Gnangara Mound was shown as a hidden void – a quiet, powerful force. We introduced ghostly images of animals that rely on this water source, such as fish and waterbirds, highlighting the fragile balance of the ecosystem. Overlays of modern infrastructure, like roads and rail lines, were interwoven with the ancient Biddi (Indigenous pathways), drawing connections between past and present, built and natural, seen and unseen.
My contribution came through the addition of detailed, realistic paintings of native flora and fauna found in Whiteman Park. These were carefully integrated into the layers of mapping and storytelling, representing the quiet but constant presence of wildlife in the area. These details offered a further way for viewers to see the land not just as space, but as a living, breathing entity.
Seen/Unseen was more than just a mural – it was a visual and cultural journey. It was about acknowledging the ongoing story of this landscape and inviting people to see beyond what’s immediately visible. By combining art, history, and ecology, Rohin and I hoped to offer something that would resonate with commuters, residents, and visitors alike – a reminder of the rich, layered connections that bind people to place.
As part of the METRONET Morley–Ellenbrook Line project, I had the honour of collaborating with artist Rohin Kickett to create Seen/Unseen, a large-scale mural for the pedestrian underpass at Whiteman Park Station. Together, we set out to create a visually striking and conceptually layered artwork that would reflect the unique relationship between water, land and people in the Bennett Brook catchment.
The mural is spread across both sides of the underpass, with each wall exploring different aspects of this vital landscape. The north wall focused on the Seen and the Unseen: the surface waters of Bennett Brook and the underground Gnangara Mound aquifer. By layering aerial views with hydro-geographical mapping, we aimed to invite viewers to reflect on how we visualise place, and how so much of what shapes it lies beneath the surface.
Rohin’s style brought a deeply cultural dimension to the work, combining Western mapping techniques with Noongar storytelling. His influence allowed us to present Country as a deeply interconnected space, where every element – from the visible creeks to the underground flows – plays a role in sustaining life.
On the south wall, we mirrored the format of the north but shifted the perspective. The Gnangara Mound was shown as a hidden void – a quiet, powerful force. We introduced ghostly images of animals that rely on this water source, such as fish and waterbirds, highlighting the fragile balance of the ecosystem. Overlays of modern infrastructure, like roads and rail lines, were interwoven with the ancient Biddi (Indigenous pathways), drawing connections between past and present, built and natural, seen and unseen.
My contribution came through the addition of detailed, realistic paintings of native flora and fauna found in Whiteman Park. These were carefully integrated into the layers of mapping and storytelling, representing the quiet but constant presence of wildlife in the area. These details offered a further way for viewers to see the land not just as space, but as a living, breathing entity.
Seen/Unseen was more than just a mural – it was a visual and cultural journey. It was about acknowledging the ongoing story of this landscape and inviting people to see beyond what’s immediately visible. By combining art, history, and ecology, Rohin and I hoped to offer something that would resonate with commuters, residents, and visitors alike – a reminder of the rich, layered connections that bind people to place.
