Activation Artwork by Dellas Bennell for the Byford Rail Extension Project
The Armadale Station Activation Artwork by Dellas Bennell offers a quiet yet powerful journey through the landscapes, stories and cultural knowledge of Noongar Country. Created as part of the METRONET Byford Rail Extension Project, the artwork is embedded throughout the station precinct, guiding commuters and visitors through a series of story points that honour place, memory and connection.
Spanning the forecourt, pathways and seating areas, the work invites reflection on the deep relationships between land, native flora and fauna, and the Noongar people who have lived on and cared for this Country for thousands of years.
Art Flowing Through the Landscape
Dellas Bennell is a Bunbury-based Noongar Yamatji artist with connections to Wardandi, Wilman, Whadjuk and Baiyungu Country. Her practice combines realism with contemporary approaches, primarily using acrylic on canvas to express strong personal and cultural connections to place.
Through Apparatus’ Groundwork design assist program, Dellas received structured support, including workshops and technical guidance, to translate her artistic language into integrated public art. Her designs are embedded into the station landscape through sandblasting and staining, allowing the artwork to flow seamlessly across concrete surfaces and connect multiple spaces within the precinct.
Welcomed by the Weitj
Approaching the station from Jull Street, visitors first encounter a pair of Weitj (emus) grazing before distant hills, etched into the concrete at the entrance. The emu is a powerful symbol within Noongar culture, historically providing food, medicine, shelter and clothing.
Their presence welcomes visitors into the station and grounds the journey in the natural and cultural heritage of the Armadale area, acknowledging long-standing relationships between people, animals and land.
Echoes Along the Rails
Moving further into the precinct, the Welcome Place seating wall depicts etched silhouettes of Noongar family life along the railways. The imagery shows a husband leaving for work in the morning and returning home in the evening, greeting his family.
This scene reflects both Dellas’ own family history and the broader experiences of Noongar people who worked along the rail corridor. It speaks to resilience, continuity and the important contribution of Noongar labour within the region, despite generations of cultural disruption and hardship.
Living with Yongka
Sweeping travel lines and circular motifs guide movement through the station, referencing migration routes, meeting places and shared journeys. As visitors pass beneath the station and descend the western ramp, they encounter yongka (kangaroos) resting among native grasses.
The kangaroos are a familiar presence in the landscape and a living symbol of life cycles that sustain both people and Country. Through this imagery, the artwork reinforces the interconnectedness of humans, animals and plants that share this place.
Ngoowak: Keepers of the Land
Further along the western approach, a group of Ngoowak (blue-banded bees) is embedded into the ground plane. Known for their distinctive buzz pollination, the bees play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance.
Circular motifs represent both the bees’ movement and the sand burrows they create. This story point highlights the importance of even the smallest creatures in sustaining healthy ecosystems and reinforces the artwork’s overarching message of interdependence.
Djorrdjilya Among the Blooms
Looking upward toward the station, visitors see Djorrdjilya (splendid fairy wren) perched among yellow acacia and blooming blue leschenaultia. This vibrant imagery flows across concrete seating integrated within native planted gardens.
The fairy wren’s bright colours and delicate form symbolise vitality and resilience, reflecting both the enduring strength of the land and the cultural continuity of Noongar people. The seating invites people to pause, rest and engage with the landscape around them.
A Quiet Legacy of Connection and Care
Dellas Bennell’s artwork weaves a layered narrative of connection, resilience and sustainability across Armadale Station. Rather than demanding attention, it offers moments of quiet reflection within daily movement, encouraging commuters to notice the land beneath their feet and the stories held within it.
As part of the Byford Rail Extension, the artwork contributes a lasting cultural presence to the station precinct, strengthening local identity and honouring Noongar Country through thoughtful, integrated public art.
Photos: Frances Andrijich