A 25-metre-long and 3-metre-high artwork by Indigenous artist Konstantina is transforming a security fence at the Sydney Metro Trains Facility South in Marrickville into a community asset that honours the culture of the Gadigal people.
‘Baraba: Scenes of Culture’, is made up of nine perforated aluminium panels with overlays of laser cut aluminium attachments in the shape of baraba reeds, and brass circular discs with scenes of Gadigal life.
Baraba is the Gadigal name for bulrushes, native to the Marrickville area. Baraba reeds are an important part of the Gadigal culture, commonly used in basket weaving and string making, in the construction of thatched roofs, and as habitat for local fauna.
Inspired by early drawings and oral histories of Gadigal Country, the circular discs depict stories of the flora, fauna and people that are part of this place. The perforated panels are attached to security fencing on the Marrickville facility facing Edinburgh Road, inviting the community to engage with the history of the area as they pass by.
Commissioned by Sydney Metro as part of heritage interpretation for the Sydney Metro Trains Facility South, the concept for the artwork was developed in late 2023 before a year-long process of refinement and consultation with community, stakeholders and traditional knowledge holders. The artwork was fabricated and installed in early 2025.
The Sydney Metro Trains Facility South is a brand-new stabling yard and maintenance facility used for stabling, cleaning and light maintenance of the new fleet of driverless trains servicing the M1 Metro Northwest and Bankstown line.
