Ford Lane Transformation Project

Burwood Council has reimaged Ford Lane as a vibrant and welcoming public space through a major transformation that celebrates the area’s rich musical heritage and creative identity.

Nestled between Burleigh Street and Burwood Road, right off Railway PDE, Ford Lane has been transformed into an urban cultural corridor—featuring five new public murals and three integrated lighting installations along with power supply for events and removable traffic bollards to pedestrianise the space for pop-up events. 

Photo: Matthew Vasilescu

A Celebration of Sound, Light and Local Stories

Inspired by Burwood’s deep connections to Australia’s music scene—from AC/DC’s early days to emerging K-pop, hip-hop and local talents—each of the commissioned artworks explores the themes of sound, movement and creative identity. Together, they tell a story of Burwood’s past, present and future.

The Artworks

Site 1 – DREZ

Photo: Katherine Lu

Chromatic Pulse
The first Drez artwork in Sydney, this piece is a geometric, site-specific work that wraps seamlessly around the entire building transforming it into a cohesive immersive visual experience. Uninterrupted horizontal and vertical lines flow across all elevations, integrating with the structure rather than imposing upon it. The composition embraces the building’s geometry, creating a visually balanced form that alters the viewer’s perception of the architecture. Drez reorients the building’s focal point from its front facade to the corner of Railway Parade and Ford Lane. This shift invites new modes of public engagement, with the mural gradually revealing itself to laneway visitors and passing train commuters, offering a layered and dynamic encounter.

A red to deep purple gradient pays homage to Burwood’s deep cultural ties to AC/DC, echoing the band’s iconic visual language and anchoring the work in local identity.

Artwork audio description: 

Site 2 – Jason Parker

Photo: Katherine Lu

Neighbourhood Harmony 

Jason Parker’s detailed portrait mural features K-pop group 1300 (ONE- THREE - HUNDRED) alongside rising local star musician That Gurl Bella. Bella is also featured sitting at a piano and guitar supplied in the photoshoot from Logans Pianos on Burwood Road, Sydney's oldest independent musical instrument shop. The guitar featured is a Gibson GS which is the guitar most commonly used by AC/DC lead singer Angus Young. Incorporating lush florals, chosen by the sitters depicted which represents their cultural backgrounds, and Stylised with fireworks, the work celebrates Burwood’s dynamic youth culture and musical talent.

Artwork audio description: 

Site 3 – Georgia Hill

Photo: Katherine Lu

I’M SO HAPPY I FOUND YOU HERE
This piece pulses with sound, memory and connection, like lyrics echoing down Ford Lane. ‘I’M SO HAPPY I FOUND YOU HERE’, unfurls along the facade, like a banner paused in motion or words yelled over the crowd. This banner reveals rolls and folds of concentric circles, mimicking the curves of records or sound waves radiating from the message.

Artwork audio description: 

Site 4 – Studio OKTO

Photo: Katherine Lu

Born To Vibe
Studio OKTO’s mural is a joyful, playful illustration of two children with radio and boombox heads holding hands beneath a vinyl sun. The work is framed with floral and swirling motifs, referencing connection, community and the universality of music.

Artwork audio description: 

Site 5 – Eve Bracewell

Photo: Katherine Lu

Flow State 
Inspired by dancer Genki Matsuyama, this mural uses movement, colour and texture to reflect Burwood’s hip hop, rock and K-pop influences. It transforms the back of a service laneway into a celebration of sound and motion.

Artwork audio description: 

Lighting Installations

In addition to the artworks, three permanent lighting installations have been integrated into the design of the lane. These elements support safer nighttime access and enhance the murals with new vibrancy after dark, contributing to the precinct’s emerging cultural life.

Photo: Katherine Lu

What's Next: Fridays at Ford

The Ford Lane Transformation is just the beginning. This spring, Burwood Council will launch Fridays at Ford—a regular live music and cultural activation series held on the last Friday of each month, featuring local performers and creative pop-ups in the lane.

This project is proudly supported by the NSW Government’s Open Streets Program and the Permit/Plug/Play Pilot Program as part of the Vibrant Streets Package, led by Transport for NSW.