We Are All Like Birds
We Are All Like Birds is an act of kindness from the artists to the Wiley Park community.
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About the artwork
Roomies Arts’ We Are All Like Birds is located on the concourse bridge at the entrance to Wiley Park Station. It forms part of the suite of transparent artworks in station concourse windows at the 10 metro stations, from Marrickville to Bankstown, united by the theme Story Line.
The artwork has been created by a collective of artists working under the Roomies Arts banner. The organisation connects artists living with mental health concerns or disabilities, with the broader creative sector.
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We Are All Like Birds weaves together the poetry of Vijaya Sen, with the drawings of Vijaya, Hannah Lily and Paul Vonwiller into an expansive digital collage, with the assistance of Jeff McCann. The work combines the artists different reflections of Wiley Park Station - including the likeness of the busy commuters to the adventurous birds flocking around the station, and the rush of trains on tracks.
The artists are interested in how we can collectively create more welcoming public spaces and describe their artwork as an act of kindness to share with the Wiley Park Community. It celebrates diversity, individual uniqueness - and heritage trains.
Artist Statement
"The artwork showcases the integration and harmony of the man-made (trains) and nature (birds).
The initial concept was drawn from Vijaya Sen’s poem:
“We are like birds, full of possibilities
we tremble with emotions and needs
in our quest to conquer
in our survival and enriching mobility
Conquer the day
Having our say
With mobility we fly and sway
Emotions and needs, enrich
Which way, we trust and survive
In all honesty we'll not go astray
Rainbows of contentment
in travels
flocking together on our journey”.
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The artwork includes a variety of local birds that symbolise Hannah Lily’s message to ‘be individual’, celebrate our uniqueness, and respect people's differences. It also includes Paul Vonwiller’s drawings of trains, that reflect his abiding passion for old and new Sydney trains.
The textures, colour palette and imagery have been selected to inspire and stimulate viewers. They provide a cosiness, and a sense of calming comfort, in a sometimes busy and alienating environment. The hand-drawn imagery and interwoven texts are an accessible and inclusive gesture - and the birds flying freely across the artwork, acknowledge all of our desires for adventure.
Roomies Arts hopes you enjoy the artwork - as you fly like birds through the station and beyond."
Artist Biography
Roomies Arts is a not-for-profit independent arts organisation, committed to inclusivity, that connects people with a disability to creative communities.
Formed in 2005, Roomies Arts promotes professional practice, and enables artists living with physical and mental health challenges to gain skills and develop and achieve their own creative goals.
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People living with mental health concerns and disabilities have unique and valuable perspectives on their urban environment, and their place in it. Yet they often remain unseen and unheard. Roomies Arts works to remove those barriers, so that all artists can participate fully, and the community can benefit from experiencing a diversity of creative voices.
Hannah Lily uses photography, drawing and social media to explore her artwork. Hannah considers deeply the experience of her audience and creates artwork that is inclusive and thoughtful.
Vijaya Sen is a prolific multi-disciplinary artist who uses poetry, prose, drawing and painting to create profound perspectives on her experiences and surroundings.
Paul Vonwiller displays in his artworks the things that interest him. These include trains, bridges and other structures, combined with the natural environment including flora and fauna. Paul finds that painting these scenes helps him in his recovery by relaxing, releasing the mind, stimulating emotion and providing pleasure to self and others. Paul believes that dedication to something significant is helpful to Mental Health management.
Jeff McCann is a Sydney based creative who works between the visual and performing arts through a wide range of mediums including public art, event decoration, illustration, workshops and fashion/wearables. His innovative practice strives to create inclusive work that encourages audience involvement.