Bringing Art to Life
Seventh Road artwork, created by Western Australian artist George Domahidy, is a prominent new public artwork that anchors the southern end of the viaduct retaining wall along the Byford Rail Extension. The mural invites viewers to look upward and outward, tracing the shifting lines, rhythms and geometries that define Armadale’s built and natural landscapes.
Rooted in community collaboration and local identity, the Seventh Road artwork reflects the textures, colours and living rhythms of Armadale, celebrating its role as a threshold between the city and the surrounding bushland.
Patterns of Armadale
The Seventh Road artwork draws directly from the distinctive qualities of the Armadale region. Its geometric forms and layered compositions reference the area’s native vegetation, varied topography and long visual lines that extend toward the Darling Scarp.
A significant component of the project was a series of workshops with Armadale Senior High School students. Under George’s guidance, students developed their own patterns and motifs, many of which were integrated into the final design. These contributions embed the artwork with a strong sense of identity and local pride, giving young people a visible place in the cityscape.
About the Artist
George Domahidy is a Western Australian artist known for geometric, pattern-based work and collaborative creative processes. His practice spans large-scale public art, community-led murals and screen-printing projects. George brings extensive experience working with schools and community groups, ensuring that artworks reflect the people and places they serve.
Colouring the Heart of Armadale
Positioned where urban form meets woodland, Seventh Road artwork brings fresh colour and movement to a key site within the expanding rail corridor. The mural reflects the aesthetic character of the new elevated Armadale Station, the viaduct structure, and the surrounding natural environment.
The student-led contributions add vibrancy and texture, creating a cohesive yet diverse surface that mirrors the collective spirit of Armadale. The work operates as a landmark for those travelling through the precinct and as a daily visual companion for the students and residents who use the adjacent pathways.
Between Trees and Architecture
The artwork draws on the strong vertical lines present throughout Armadale’s landscape. The tall forms of Sheoak, Wandoo, Jarrah and Marri trees informed the rhythmic structure of the mural, echoing the upright architectural expression of the new rail infrastructure.
Domahidy’s use of layered strips and repeating patterns creates a dynamic interplay between organic and constructed elements. This approach highlights the ongoing relationship between Country, community and the evolving built environment.
Co-Creation with Community
Collaboration was central to the project. Through hands-on workshops, Armadale Senior High School students generated drawings, patterns and shapes that were adapted into the final artwork. Their contributions bring individuality, energy and authenticity, ensuring the mural becomes a meaningful part of daily life for those who walk or cycle past it.
The Seventh Road underpass is a key movement corridor linking the school with the suburbs to the west. Integrating student designs into this site reinforces their connection to place and supports a sense of ownership within the local community.
Guided by the landscape
The colour palette is drawn from the earthy tones of the Darling Scarp, local granite, and the region’s surrounding bushland. These hues create visual continuity with the natural environment and ground the artwork within its setting.
In addition to the painted elements, delicate motifs have been sandblasted into the concrete underpass, offering tactile markers that guide students through the space and enhance the experience of moving between school, home and the wider community.
A Marker of Connection, Movement and Place
The Seventh Road artwork embodies Armadale’s role as a place of movement and transition, sitting at the meeting point of suburban neighbourhoods, transport infrastructure and natural landscapes. Through its collaborative creation and strong sense of place, Vertical Horizons stands as a vibrant marker of community identity, creative exchange and connection to Country.
Its integration into the Byford Rail Extension reflects METRONET’s commitment to high-quality public art that strengthens local identity and enriches daily journeys across the network
Photos: Frances Andrijich