Activation Artwork by Nigel Chadd for the Byford Rail Extension
The Byford Station Activation Artwork by Nigel Chadd is a major public artwork created for the new Byford Station as part of the METRONET Byford Rail Extension. The work honours Bibbulmun Whadjuk Country and reflects the interwoven relationships between land, people, culture and movement.
Developed in close collaboration with the Apparatus design team and guided by local Elders, the artwork is integrated throughout the station precinct, offering a culturally grounded journey that encourages reflection, care and connection to Country.
Guided by Country: The Art of Nigel Chadd
Nydjyll (Nigel Chadd) is a Bibbulmun Noongar artist whose practice is deeply informed by cultural knowledge, family lineage and lived connection to Country. His artwork at Byford Station reflects teachings passed down from his father, Tjyllyungoo (Lance Chadd), a respected Bibbulmun Noongar Elder and artist.
The work is not a single object, but a sequence of connected elements embedded into the station landscape. Together, these elements guide visitors through the precinct, reinforcing the idea that all life is connected through shared pathways, stories and responsibilities.
Grounded in Culture
Nigel Chadd’s creative process is grounded in traditional knowledge, storytelling and a deep spir-itual relationship with the land. His work carries cultural responsibility and is guided by respect for Elders, Country and future generations.
At Byford Station, this approach is expressed through the use of sandblasting, stained concrete and patterned paving, creating a tactile and durable public artwork that responds to the station’s mate-rial environment. These techniques bring cultural narratives into the everyday movement of com-muters, embedding meaning into the ground plane and shared spaces of the precinct.
Three Story Points Connected by Songlines
Guided by Elders’ knowledge, the artwork centres on three key story points, each representing a vital element of the local environment and cultural landscape. These are connected by flowing travel lines inspired by ancestral songlines, reflecting movement, continuity and connection across Country.
Yorgum: Life, Water and Connection
Located at the eastern end of the station precinct, Yorgum (red flowering gum) forms the first story point. The blossoming seed symbolises the continuous life cycle, from seed to plant to flower and back again.
Circular patterns represent unity, connection and the essential role of water in sustaining life. This element invites reflection on renewal, balance and the responsibility to care for the natural environment.
Gathering with Booldjit
Moving through the precinct, visitors arrive at a welcoming Yarning Circle, where Booldjit (Western Spinebill) is depicted. As a key pollinator, the Booldjit represents harmony and balance within the ecosystem.
Native bees appear alongside the bird, and the footprints of animals and humans move together along the yarning circle walls. This shared movement reflects coexistence and the collective relationship between people and the natural world.
Mottlecah: Strength in Bloom
At the southern station entry, the final story point features Mottlecah (Eucalyptus macrocarpa). Known for its large, striking flowers emerging from a conical capsule, the Mottlecah represents resilience and strength.
Endemic to the South West, this species speaks to endurance and adaptation, qualities that resonate strongly within Noongar culture and the evolving Byford community.
A Lasting Cultural Legacy at Byford Station
Nigel Chadd’s artwork is a visual expression of the deep, non-physical ties that bind people to Country. It stands as a testament to the resilience and continuity of Noongar culture, offering a meaningful cultural presence within new transport infrastructure.
For commuters and visitors, the artwork provides an opportunity to engage with the cultural heritage and natural environment of the region. It encourages reflection on interconnectedness, responsibility and care, reinforcing Byford Station as a place of movement that remains grounded in Country.
Photos: Frances Andrijich