Supersized artwork unveiled as part of Sydney Metro’s Central Station transformation
08.06.2023
A 113 x 19 metre artwork by artist Rose Nolan called All Alongside of Each Other now takes pride of place in Central Station’s new North-South concourse.
The artwork was commissioned as part of Sydney Metro’s once-in-a-century upgrade to the landmark station and is one of the largest art pieces to be installed inside an Australian railway station.
The terrazzo floor drawing is reflective of an athletics track, with the artist intending for the strong graphic form to operate as a marker of time and place as commuters move toward their destination.
The red colour and materiality of the artwork also reflect upon Central Station’s built heritage with nods to the former ticketing office and brickwork of the northern concourse facades.
The inlaid floor text is a mix of different phrases, including:
SIMPLY BREATHE NATURALLY
BE AWARE OF EACH MENTAL NOTE AS IT ARISES
SEE HOW THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS MOVE IN PARTICULAR WAYS
LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN BEFORE
STAY FOCUSED WHEN EVERYTHING MOVES AROUND YOU
EXPAND THE CIRCLE OF COMPASSION OUTWARDS
BE CONFIDENT THAT AFTER SOME TIME YOU WILL NOTICE THE BENEFITS
WITH PRACTICE AN INNER BALANCE DEVELOPS TO A GREATER OR LESSER DEGREE
Welcoming commuters to the station from the Eddy Avenue entrance is large red and polished stainless-steel lettering that forms the name of the artwork. This was unveiled in December 2022.
In 2024, customers will travel through the North-South concourse to connect to fast and reliable metro services via new platforms 27 metres below Central Station.