Burwood Bus Depot Mural Project: Meeting Places
Burwood Council commissioned Sydney based artist Christina Huynh to design and install a mural on the front façade of Burwood Bus Depot, facing Parramatta Road. Owned by Transport for New South Whales and operated by Transit Systems West, Council has partnered with both organisations to commission this exciting new public art opportunity.
Artist Statement:
The design shows an AEC Regent III double-decker bus with a license plate “1974.TS” which represents the year Lorna Hutchings began driving as the first female bus driver at Burwood Bus Depot.
Two Australian Reed Warblers meet among parts of a former Regent Double decker bus in restoration. A scene where two warblers meet symbolises Burwood as an important place for a meeting between Sydney City and Western Sydney for resources such as Burwood Library or for the buzzing atmosphere, diversity and rich cultural flavours found throughout Burwood Chinatown.
The theme of yarn bomb and knitting is central throughout the design as it celebrates the character of Lorna Hutchings, her love for knitting, and the movement of street art throughout the inner west and inner-city suburbs of Sydney. To ‘Yarn bomb’ was originally to reclaim and personalise sterile or cold public places.
In January 2024 Meeting Places was listed as a Finalist in the National Australian Street Art Awards in the Best External Mural category.
Christina Huynh & Lorna Hutchings featured in front of Meeting Places
This project was funded through the Parramatta Rd Urban Amenity Improvement Program (PRUAIP) from the NSW Government. PRUAIP is a $198 million initiative to improve open space and active transport links along the Parramatta Road corridor. Burwood Council is one of six Councils including Strathfield, Inner West, Canada Bay, Parramatta and Cumberland delivering a total of 32 projects in and around Parramatta Road. This is part of the government’s commitment to revitalising precincts between the Inner west and Parramatta.
For more information on the Parramatta Road Urban Amenity Improvement Program click here.
As a part of this program Burwood Council has delivered a series of cycle paths which link key recreational sites from Canada Bay to Burwood through Parramatta Road. These cycle paths will also improve connection between Burwood’s local parks and facilities.
Public art also has a key role to play in supporting the growth of The Corridor and establishing a sense of place for the community. Through PRUAIP and with the support of Create NSW, Burwood Council has received funding for a series of six public art commissions. The program of works is guided by the PRUAIP Public Art Framework developed by Create NSW and the Burwood Council Public Art Policy.
Proudly Funded by the NSW Government