Signal Grove at the New Armadale Station
A significant piece of Western Australia’s public art heritage has been reinstated at the new Armadale Station. Tony Jones’ Signal Grove sculptures, carefully removed and stored during construction of the METRONET Byford Rail Extension, have now been returned to public view on the western side of the station, where they can continue to welcome commuters and visitors with colour and movement.
Their reinstatement marks the completion of a major conservation and relocation process that ensured the works were protected, assessed, and reinstalled to contemporary public art standards.
Restoring and Reinstating a Public Artwork
Originally commissioned in 2004, Signal Grove comprises five tall, brightly coloured steel forms inspired by historic railway signals. Although the forms are abstract, they carry the suggestion of functionality and evoke the industrial and forestry history of the region.
For the Byford Rail Extension project, the artworks underwent a structured process of removal, transportation, restoration and reinstatement. This included:
- safe deinstallation by specialist contractors
- condition assessment and reporting
- secure storage during construction
- design integration, planning a new arrangement suited to the new station environment
- restoration to an excellent standard
- reinstatement in a location that preserves public visibility and access
- checking alignment with current PTA materials, finishes and maintainability requirements (such as durability, anti-corrosion performance and resistance to vandalism)
This careful approach ensured the artworks were protected and reinstated with long-term conservation needs in mind, supporting ongoing care and public use. The sculptures now occupy a prominent position adjacent to the new station entry, where they once again contribute colour, scale, and movement to the precinct.
An Artwork with Renewed Presence
Jones constructed the sculptures using recycled steel and refurbished mechanical components, blending robust industrial materials with the gentle rhythm of a grove of trees. Some pieces feature kinetic elements that continue to respond to wind and movement.
The reinstated installation offers: a strong visual marker for commuters and visitors; a sculptural link between Armadale’s former ground-level station and its new elevated rail environment; a continuation of a well-known and well-loved public artwork within a transformed transport precinct. The new location preserves public access and enhances the presence of Signal Grove within the upgraded station landscape.
Celebrating Tony Jones, a Western Australian Cultural Leader
Tony Jones is recognised as one of Western Australia’s most influential sculptors. His major works include Eliza in the Swan River and C.Y. O’Connor, Horse and Rider at Coogee Beach. His longstanding contribution to public art has been acknowledged through the WA Citizen of the Year Award for Arts (2008), an Order of Australia Medal (2009), and recognition as a State Cultural Treasure in 2024.
The restoration of Signal Grove ensures that one of his key public artworks continues to contribute to Armadale’s cultural identity.
A Public Artwork Reconnected with Community
For almost twenty years, Signal Grove has been a familiar landmark for Armadale residents. Previously located near the Jull Street entrance of the former station, the sculptures became a recognisable feature of the local landscape. The sculpture’s reinstatement reconnects the artwork with long-standing community memory and embeds cultural continuity within the new transport infrastructure. Apparatus work restoring the sculpture supports METRONET’s commitment to high-quality, place-responsive public art.
As Armadale enters a new chapter, the restored Signal Grove stands as a reminder of the precinct’s past and a vibrant part of its future.
Photos: Frances Andrijich