Together with Metro Trains, Yarra Trams, V/Line, and local councils, the Transporting Arts Program aims to enliven the community and passenger experience at tram stops and train stations across Victoria with public art installations.
Working closely with local artists, we’re showcasing artwork that reflect the rich heritage and culture of the local area.
To date, the pilot program has transformed twelve sites including tram stops at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Museum, Carlton, Northcote and Queen Victoria Market, and train stations in Wyndham Vale and Pascoe Vale, Wallan, Ballan, Bendigo, Caroline Springs and Warrnambool.
‘Gathering in the Gardens’ by Annie Davidson
Our first site delivered under the Transporting Arts Program features artwork by Melbourne-based illustrator Annie Davidson. The piece ‘Gathering in the Gardens’ captures the beauty of the Royal Botanic Gardens with iconic illustrations, seasonal colours and uniquely Australian flora and fauna.
“I’ve spent many hours enjoying and exploring the Botanic Gardens over the years. I love that they are a place to gather together and are accessible to everyone. I hope people can gain a sense of peacefulness when they look at this artwork,” said Annie.
Annie’s work will be located at the Anzac Station site, facing the Royal Botanic Gardens, as part of the Metro Tunnel Creative Program until March 2024.
Instagram: @anniesarahdesign(opens in a new window)
Image caption: ‘Gathering in the Gardens’ by Annie Davidson at Royal Botanic Gardens
Image credit: Kit Edwards
‘Flourish’ by Yu-Fang Chi
In her piece ‘Flourish’ at Wyndham Vale Station, Taiwan-born Melbourne-based artist and designer Yu Fang Chi celebrates the unique environment, eco-system, and heritage of the site.
Through researching and redrawing the natural elements of local native plants, leaves, flowers, and animal species, the work applies various patterns and transforms them into a flowing, vibrant image.
Website: https://www.yufangchi.com/
Image caption: ‘Flourish’ by Yu-Fang Chi at Wyndham Vale Station
‘On my way’ by Candela Alconada
"As we sit inside the train, we are transported in a surreal manner through a diverse and constantly changing world. The act of traveling from one point to another within the city can evoke emotions and feelings, offering an opportunity to contemplate our surroundings and reconnect with ourselves,” said artist and muralist Candela Alconada.
Through this artwork at Pascoe Vale Station, Candela aimed to capture these emotions and the vibrancy of Merri-bek's multicultural and diverse population.
Candela hopes that this colourful artwork uplifts the area, bringing joy and inspiration to everyone passing through it.
Instagram: @candela.colors(opens in a new window)
Image caption: ‘On my way’ by Candela Alconada at Pascoe Vale Station
Tram Stop 112 Lygon Street/Elgin Street, Carlton
‘Around Town’ by Cathy Drummond
‘Around Town’ is a montaged selection of paintings by local artist Cathy Drummond that depict parts of the city, which many of us will be familiar with or have noticed as we travel about in our daily routines.
“I’m excited by the world around us and through painting these everyday scenes endeavour to make the ordinary extraordinary and celebrate a sense of place,” said Cathy who has been painting the buildings, shops and streets of everyday Melbourne for ever thirty years.
Website: https://www.484presents.com/cathy-drummond
Image: 'Around Town' by Cathy Drummond at Tram Stop 112
Tram Stop 11 Melbourne Museum/Nicholson St, Carlton
‘Tree Spirits’ by Karen Standke
‘Tree Spirits’ by Melbourne-based artist Karen Standke invites commuters into a world of tranquility with its intricate layers capturing the essence of nearby parks and local flora.
It serves as a visual sanctuary amidst the bustling energy of tram stop 11 at Melbourne Museum/ Nicholson Street in Carlton.
“’Tree Spirits’ act(s) as a restorative pause, urging travellers to breathe, contemplate, and rekindle their relationship with the natural world as they transition from one destination to another,” said Karen.
Website: https://www.karenstandke.com
Image: 'Tree Spirits' by Karen Standke at Tram Stop 11
‘Connect’ by Margie Balazic
This colourful series of illustrations by Margie Balazic seeks to capture the essence of the local environment by showcasing flourishing florals and native gums.
The intertwining paths of growth and connection reflect the evolving nature of the Wallan area.
Instagram: @margiebalazic
Image: 'Connect' by Margie Balazic at Wallan Station
‘Blaze basin (Bostock Reservoir), 2019 and Coral Rise Furrowed Venture (Lerderderg Gorge), 2020’ by Justin Nemeth
Local photographer Justin Nemeth has captured the essence of Moorabool Shire through two iconic landscapes.
At Bostock Reservoir, his photo Blaze Basin highlights the effects of extreme heat and drought, revealing fiery reeds beneath the water’s surface—a reminder of life’s challenges and the opportunities they can bring.
In Coral Rise, a vibrant pink sunrise lights up the Lerderderg Gorge, a scene Justin describes as "vibrant, beautiful, and full of energy." He dedicates this striking image to his late friend Kaye Hannam.
Facebook: @composureimages
Image: ‘Blaze basin (Bostock Reservoir), 2019 and Coral Rise Furrowed Venture (Lerderderg Gorge), 2020’ by Justin Nemeth at Ballan Station.
Tram Stop 31 Northcote Town Hall/ High St
‘Reflectancy’ by Andrej Kocis
Reflectancy invites viewers to contemplate Darebin's pre-urban past while also considering its present. The work by local artist Andrej Kocis contains a layered topographic representation of the land behind the shelter as it would have looked pre urbanisation. It also includes a faint photo-image reflecting the present-day streetscape on the opposite side of each shelter. In these ways, it is both a window (to the past) and a mirror (of the present).
Instagram: @leftsidefotos
Image: ‘Reflectancy’ by Andrej Kocis at Tram Stop 31
’Love in Neon’ by Carly Wood
A celebration of joy in every brushstroke, Love in Neon by Carly Wood is serotonin brought to life. Its vibrant rainbow palette and motifs of hearts, flowers and suns, come together in a feel-good explosion of colour and positivity.
Instagram: @myfavouritecolourisrainbow.art
Image: ‘Love in Neon’ by Carly Wood at Bendigo Station
‘A Traveler’s Garden’ by Ana Hanson
This piece re-imagines the Caroline Springs Station underpass as a vibrant garden of colour and form, featuring stylised representations of iconic Australian flora. This installation brings a sense of wonder and connection to nature in an unexpected urban space, offering a moment of beauty along the everyday journey.
Instagram: @anahansonart
Image: ‘A Traveler’s Garden’ by Ana Hanson
'Musical Warrnambool' by Father Marker
Musical Warrnambool is a mural drawn by Father Marker showcasing the rich history of Warrnambool.
"My aim was to honour the city’s musical and cultural identity through layered visual storytelling – blending history, community, with rich local references throughout. The result is a deeply informed and heartfelt tribute to Warrnambool’s unique cultural rhythm."
Instagram: @father.marker
Tram Stop 7 Queen Victoria Market
'Market Basket' by Angharad Neal-Williams
Market Basket by Angharad Neal-Williams is inspired by the Queen Victoria Market and represents the idea of slowing down while you shop local.
The decision to hand paint the design, itself a much slower technique than digital art, was inspired by the slower pace of market shopping. The work aims to let people know exactly where they are when they arrive and that there is fresh produce just around the corner.
“I hope that people will know where they are as soon as they get to the tram stop, regardless of their ability to read or if they’re local or travelling”.
Instagram: @anghrad.nw
Coming soon
Muderra Way, Noble Park
Updated