The Station and the River

Nathanael Whale

Title: The Station and the River

Artist/s: Nathanael Whale

Year: 2023/2024

Site: Bayswater Station

Location Detail: Artworks are integrated within glazing above seating towards the eastern end of each platform.

Medium: ImagInk on glass

Description:

Nathanael Whale is a Western Australian graphic designer and illustrator. His works showcase the two sides of Bayswater. Each concept explores an amalgam of historical elements to express the deep intertwining between land and community across time. Nathanael interviewed community members to gain local insights and included these in his works.

‘The Station’ depicts a vision where cargo trains travel alongside their modern counterparts, horse carts delivering milk and groceries exist alongside bus commuters, and the town centre is a vibrant and multicultural community of characters and places unique to Bayswater.

‘The River’ stretches from the Baigup Wetlands to the conservation habitat of the Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary. Ellis House and a market garden symbolise colonial agriculture, while a Noongar camp references the Custodians of Whadjuk Country. The public park filled with picnickers and dog-walkers from all eras is bordered by the river itself; teeming with ships and boats both modern and historical.