Artwork including a Van Gogh inspired train is brightening up Berwick Station in Melbourne’s south east, created as part of works to remove the dangerous and congested level crossing at Clyde Road.
The five artworks created by students between years 6 and 12 from St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar explore themes including identity, community and public transport, and are on display on temporary fences around Berwick Station’s southern car park.
The classic Vincent Van Gogh painting Starry Night was the basis for a piece of art created by Year 9 students Sienna F, Anna M, Kiara G and Shiva P.
“We had the idea of Starry Night and developed it into an old meets new concept as Starry Night is quite an old painting, and Berwick is quite new,” Sienna said.
“Our teacher came up with the idea of painting pieces of white paper and then cutting them out and sticking them on to make it look like a collage, and it pulled through really well, we’re really happy with it.”
The students have experienced first-hand the impact of the Clyde Road level crossing removal, which took place earlier this year.
“Now that the removal has finished it’s turned into such a great thing and it’s benefited the community and made sure that people are safe,” Anna said.
“Clyde Road was very busy to say the least, especially in peak hour traffic, so it’s good now to be able to go underneath,” Sienna said.
Caoimhe K and Lauren N created a piece of art that showcased the past, present and future of Berwick Station using block colours.
“It’s so surreal, it’s so amazing that we had the opportunity to do something like this, and for everybody to be able to see it as well,” Caoimhe said.
Other artworks were inspired by the classic board game Monopoly; positioned students’ individual emblems across a large gumtree; and explored the students’ sense of place within Australia.
The level crossing at Clyde Road was removed in February 2022 by building a road underpass beneath the rail line. Around 22,000 vehicles travelled through the crossing each day, with the boom gates down for up to a third of the morning peak.
Removing this level crossing has improved safety and eased congestion, while creating better local connections to the nearby residential, health and education precincts.
The Clyde Road Level Crossing Removal Project is also delivering an upgraded bus interchange at Berwick Station and new walking and bike riding connections. The project will plant more than 37,000 trees, plants and shrubs throughout the Clyde Road project area.
The artwork will remain on display until the new bus interchange opens in late 2022. Commuters can read more about each artwork by scanning QR codes displayed on site.
The students have experienced first-hand the impact of the Clyde Road level crossing removal, which took place earlier this year.
“Now that the removal has finished it’s turned into such a great thing and it’s benefited the community and made sure that people are safe,” Anna said.
“Clyde Road was very busy to say the least, especially in peak hour traffic, so it’s good now to be able to go underneath,” Sienna said.
Caoimhe K and Lauren N created a piece of art that showcased the past, present and future of Berwick Station using block colours.
“It’s so surreal, it’s so amazing that we had the opportunity to do something like this, and for everybody to be able to see it as well,” Caoimhe said.
Other artworks were inspired by the classic board game Monopoly; positioned students’ individual emblems across a large gumtree; and explored the students’ sense of place within Australia.
The level crossing at Clyde Road was removed in February 2022 by building a road underpass beneath the rail line. Around 22,000 vehicles travelled through the crossing each day, with the boom gates down for up to a third of the morning peak.
Removing this level crossing has improved safety and eased congestion, while creating better local connections to the nearby residential, health and education precincts.
The Clyde Road Level Crossing Removal Project is also delivering an upgraded bus interchange at Berwick Station and new walking and bike riding connections. The project will plant more than 37,000 trees, plants and shrubs throughout the Clyde Road project area.
The artwork will remain on display until the new bus interchange opens in late 2022. Commuters can read more about each artwork by scanning QR codes displayed on site.