The newly realised Canberra Metro Light Rail is set to connect Canberra’s transiters through improved public transport networks. UAP was engaged by Capital Metro to develop a Public Art Strategy for the new Light Rail; informed by Canberra’s rich heritage and future ambitions.

Defining a public opportunity for an artist to treat the glass walls of each light rail station with patterns, UAP developed an overarching curatorial rationale Cultural Capital: Intersections of Imagination, prompting artists to explore Canberra’s cultural stories, heritage and contemporary identity.

Local Canberra-based artist Hannah Quinlivan was selected from an artist shortlist for the project. Quinlivan’s practice of printmaking, drawing and painting made her a great fit to conceptualise a pattern-based artwork for the light rail walls, with her personal connection to Canberra allowing space for Quinlivan to interweave personal stories and histories.