Creating Four Public Artworks for Central Station and Sydney’s Transport Network

I’m really proud to share this special public artwork project I created for Transport for NSW, with the artworks printed and installed by Natz Packaging across signal boxes at Central Station and surrounding Sydney city transport areas.

This project was about more than decorating public infrastructure. For me, it was about transforming everyday transport spaces into places that carry story, culture and connection.

Thousands of people move through Sydney’s transport network every day. They are heading to work, school, family, community, appointments, events and home again. I wanted these artworks to speak to that movement, but also remind people that these journeys are happening on Aboriginal Country, where pathways, gathering places, waterways and Songlines have existed for thousands of years.

Seeing my artwork wrapped around these boxes in such a busy public space was really special. These are places people often walk past without noticing, but through artwork they become something meaningful. They become places where people can pause, look closer and connect with the story of Country.

Working with Natz Packaging

I worked with Natz Packaging, who printed the artworks and applied them onto the boxes for Transport for NSW.

It was amazing to see the designs move from my digital artwork files into large-scale public installations. The detail, colour and flow of the artwork had to work across the full wrap of each box, so the designs could continue around all sides and still feel connected.

Natz Packaging brought the artworks to life beautifully through the printing and installation process, and I’m grateful to have been part of a project that places Aboriginal storytelling directly into public spaces.

https://www.natzpackaging.com.au/

The Four Artwork Stories

Connected Through Central

Connected Through Central tells the story of Central Station as a place where many paths meet.

When I created this artwork, I thought about Central as more than a train station. It is a modern gathering place on Gadigal Country, where thousands of people come together every day. But long before the platforms, rail lines and buildings, this place already held pathways, movement and story.

The central circles represent Central Station as a meeting ground and a heartbeat of movement. The flowing white lines stretch outward like living Songlines, connecting communities, families and stories across Sydney and beyond.

The dots throughout the artwork represent the many stations and communities connected through Central. Each one is a place where people arrive, leave, gather and return.

For me, this artwork honours the way Central connects people — not only through transport, but through shared movement, belonging and story.

Here, all lines meet.
Here, stories move.
Here, community continues.

Walking Together on Country

Walking Together on Country is about the daily movement of people through the heart of Sydney.

I wanted this artwork to reflect the way people walk through the city every day — workers, students, families, Elders, visitors and commuters — each carrying their own story.

The footprints represent these journeys. They remind us that every person moving through the city is part of something larger. Even in a busy place like the Sydney CBD, every step happens on Country.

The gathering circles represent the different communities who pass through and connect in these spaces. The flowing lines represent streets, walking tracks, transport routes and the ancient pathways that still sit beneath the modern city.

This artwork is a reminder that movement is not just about getting from one place to another. It is about connection to people, place and purpose.

Every step carries a story.
Every path leads to connection.
Together, we move as community on Country.

Waterways of Connection

Waterways of Connection tells the story of Sydney’s waterways and how they have always connected people.

For thousands of years, rivers, creeks and harbour waterways have supported movement, trade, gathering and cultural exchange for Aboriginal peoples. These waterways were pathways long before roads and rail lines were built.

In this artwork, the flowing blue forms represent the waterways moving through the landscape and into Sydney Harbour. The gathering circles represent communities and meeting places, while the smaller circles represent families, people and places connected across Sydney.

The dotted paths and flowing lines also reflect the movement of people through train stations and transport routes today. I wanted to show that modern transport still follows a much older story of movement across Country.

The cool blues represent water, sky and harbour, reminding us that even in the middle of a busy city, Country is always present.

The waterways connect the land.
The pathways connect the people.
Together, they carry the stories of Sydney forward.

Songlines of the City

Songlines of the City honours the ancient Songlines that have connected Country for thousands of years.

Songlines carried knowledge, stories, trade and cultural connection between communities. They guided people across land, rivers, valleys and coastal places.

In this artwork, the flowing lines represent those Songlines. Some move like waterways, others like walking tracks. They also reflect the railways, roads and footpaths that now carry people through Sydney today.

The large gathering circles represent places where people come together, share knowledge and connect. The radiant central circle represents the heart of connection — energy, life and community.

For me, this artwork shows that even though the city has changed, the deeper connections to Country remain. The modern transport network is part of a much longer story of movement, connection and belonging.

The Songlines continue through time.
The pathways connect the people.
Every journey becomes part of the story of Country.

One Connected Story

Although each artwork has its own meaning, together they tell one larger story.

They begin at Central Station, a meeting place where many journeys cross. From there, the story moves out into the city through waterways, walking paths, Songlines and transport routes.

These artworks recognise that Sydney is not only a modern city. It is Aboriginal Country. Beneath the train lines, roads, platforms and footpaths are stories that have always been here.

Creating these artworks allowed me to bring culture, movement and connection into everyday public spaces. That is something I feel very proud of.

I hope that when people pass these boxes, they take a moment to look closer. I hope they see the circles, pathways, dots, footprints and flowing lines, and feel that they are part of a much bigger story.

Because every journey across Sydney carries connection.

Every path holds story.

And Country is always present.

– Lani Balzan
Aboriginal Art by Lani