Auchenflower train station has been brought to life thanks to Queensland College of Art.

Adding to a growing list of public art projects around the state by Griffith University’s QCA LiveArt program, the mural has this week been completed by a team of students.

QCA LiveArt invites students to work with industry and community groups to create real world public art outcomes across a wide range of industries, with a focus on large-scale wall paintings that expand students’ own studio research.

They’ve collaborated on projects with Longreach Regional Council, Queensland Children’s Hospital, Lendlease, Economic Development Queensland, Brisbane Airport, Ipswich City Council, and the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

QCA LiveArt Creative Director Dr Simon Degroot

Creative Director at QCA LiveArt Dr Simon Degroot said the public art course enabled students to get valuable work-integrated learning experiences.

“For this type of project where we all work as a group, students are mentored through the whole process including responding to a brief, concept design, installation on-site and all the safety aspects so they are prepared when it comes to applying for their own opportunities,” he said.

“As the Olympics approaches there will be a lot of opportunities for artists to create public artworks, so we are preparing students through these experiences so they will be ready when those opportunities arise.”

The team of artists have already been receiving positive feedback about their work, with passers-by sharing how happy they are that art has been included as part of the station renovation.

It’s all thanks to the Positive pARTnerships program run by Queensland Rail which seeks to get artists involved in public art at and around train stations, with several QCA LiveArt collaborations already visible at sites around the city including Brunswick Street, South Bank and Rocklea.

Queensland Rail Graffiti management team leader Steven Pennycook said the collaboration with Griffith was an exciting project helping populate the next generation of artists.

“It’s a very wholistic approach from start to finish and we really see the development of those learning outcomes,” he said.

“The safety aspect is particularly important here with around 25,000 volts running overhead, so we work with the teams closely on that, but we love being a part of the whole process and seeing the students deliver something that helps them feel connected to the city and that they can be proud of and walk past for years to come.”

Griffith Bachelor of Arts and QCA LiveArt student Ally Cassidy

It’s not only QCA students who can get involved either, but students in any Griffith course.

Bachelor of Arts student Ally Cassidy took the public art course as an elective, but was successful in having her design chosen for the Auchenflower project.

“Auchenflower in Scottish Gaelic means ‘bunch of flowers’ so I looked at the different flora in the area and worked them into my design,” she said.

“I wanted to complement rather than replicate the greenery that’s so prevalent in the suburb, so I’ve included a lot of blue and orange to create a more colourful experience.

“It’s been so cool watching my design go from a digital file to something you can walk through.

“It’s incredibly exciting and I’m very grateful for the experience.”