The ACT government has announced that the Woden bus interchange has been updated via a series of new art installations from local artists.
Several of the white shipping containers acting as temporary bus shelters at the Woden interchange have been adorned with new pieces from the artists who also worked with local community members to inspire their work.
The new Woden temporary bus interchange opened in January this year and will continue to until the new public transport interchange opens in 2025.
Mimi Fairall is one of nine Canberra artists selected to take part in this project, bringing colour and vibrancy to the temporary bus interchange. The work explores themes and ideas that matter to the bus drivers and Transport Officers working in Woden.
Other artists involved in the project are Dan Magginity (Byrd), Carlos Sanchez, Lawrence Tan, Paul Summerfield, Sarah Murray, Yamile Tafur Rios, Tracey Hall and Yanni Pounartzis.
ACT housing and suburban development Yvette Berry says bringing together the work of local artists with future development aspirations for the Woden region is a fantastic collaboration.
“It’s fantastic to showcase the work of local artists in such a prominent way. I hope Canberrans can enjoy the new artworks on their daily commutes,” Berry says.
“Thank you and well done to all the artists involved.”
ACT transport minister Chris Steel says the project responds to community feedback calling for the creation of vibrant and lively public spaces in our city – even if they are temporary.
“The idea of including artwork on the temporary shelters has been raised by community members during the Suburban Land Agency’s public consultation on Phillip Block 1, Section 7 and Community Reference Group meetings for the CIT Woden Campus Project,” Steel says.
“This project is supporting local artists to make local art for local people to enjoy. I look forward to seeing commuters, pedestrians and bus drivers enjoy this artwork while the temporary bus interchange is in place.”