UNITY OF LIFE - WHITEMAN PARK
2024.. White Ceramic printed glass.. 36m L x 1.4m w
THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF MATTER
Penelope Forlano as the lead artist, collaborated with Whadjuk, Ballardong and Yamatji Aboriginal woman Marcia McGuire on the five skylight artworks to the Morley – Ellenbrook train stations by Metronet.
Marcia consulted on cultural matters and developed the two designs based on her close cultural and family connection with the Ellenbrook and Ballajura locations. Penelope oversaw the technical and design approaches for the stations and developed the three artworks for the Morley, Noranda and Whiteman Park stations.
These ceramic printed skylights commit to sharing and honouring concepts of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal beliefs. Penelope’s artworks celebrate the balance, interconnectedness and unity of all life.
Video courtesy of Metronet, featuring the design and mentoring process for the skylight artworks across the five train stations on the Morley-Ellenbrook line in Western Australia.
Key to the success of the three train station concourses was to reflect a shared understanding of the unique flora and fauna of this place to complement the Indigenous artist’s work at the other stations which completes this extension. Visitors to the Whiteman Park space see the two mammals from the region, the Grey Kangaroo and Woylie camouflaged within and composed of, the Eucalyptus Rudis (Flooded Gum or Noongar name Colaille or Koolert). Just as all living things are made of shared matter; such as carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen and other elements, the illustrations reflect this notion, showing the endemic creatures made of the local flora.
UNITY OF LIFE -
MORLEY
2024.. White Ceramic printed glass.. 24m L x 1.4m w
The solutions also address light and shade requirements, while creating a definitive design that complements the lineal architectural design with an organic and textural illustrative feature.
Each artwork across the consecutive stations acts as chapter in the story of place, telling the overall theme of interconnection of nature, while also expressing a unique aspect of that particular stop along the train journey. Drawing the eye up to the sky beyond, one may see only the flora at first glance, but through multiple visits, people discover the animals within. Hints are given as limbs stretch out past the body of the drawing.
Morley station stands on what was once abundant ancient bushland. Here, the artwork illustrates two reptiles; the endemic Western Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus) and Marbled gecko (Christinus marmoratus) drawn with the elements of the local tree: Eucalyptus Todtiana (Prickly bark or Dwutta in Noongar)
UNITY OF LIFE- NORANDA
2024.. White Ceramic printed glass.. 18m L x 1.4m w
Not far from the Noranda station is Lightning Swamp. At 12 kilometers north-east of Perth, and 71 hectares in size, it is an extensive wetland with declared rare flora amongst its more than 150 species. As a significant site for water birds, the artwork at Noranda features the Eastern Great Egret and the Australasian Darter illustrated with, and camouflaged by, the Typha domingensis - the native Typha or bulrush.