Two renowned creatives have been appointed lead artists for a $1 million project to improve the experience of pedestrians making their way from the station to the heart of the Campbelltown city centre.
Campbelltown Council have partnered with Transport for NSW to transform the Hurley Street underpass and its surrounding areas into a more vibrant, safer and well-connected space.
The lead artists are Gillian Kayrooz and L-Fresh the Lion, a hip-hop artist who grew up in South Western Sydney and uses his platform to highlight cultural identity and social justice.
His connection to Campbelltown includes being the founder and artistic director of Conscious, a hip-hop artist career development program at Campbelltown Arts Centre.
Gillian Kayrooz is a Western Sydney artist whose contemporary works explore identity, culture and community.
“It’s fantastic to have two talented, local artists like L-Fresh and Gillian Kayrooz, who can contribute their creativity to this exciting project, and I look forward to seeing how their work will enhance the space for the community,” says the Mayor of Campbelltown, Darcy Lound.
“The improvements will support vital works to strengthen the connection from Campbelltown Station to Queen Street and enhance amenities, safety features and overall accessibility, creating a more welcoming environment for commuters and visitors alike,” Mayor Lound said.
Local MP Greg Warren has also backed the initiative.
“This is a fantastic project that will bring our community closer together and really bring our public transport hub to life,” he said.
“Working with artists like L-Fresh the Lion and Gillian Kayrooz who have roots in Campbelltown and Western Sydney more broadly is outstanding and will help bring the spirit of our area to the fore,” he said.
The two artists were equally excited about the project.
“Campbelltown has shaped who I am. It’s where I grew up, had my first performances, and built lifelong connections,’’ says L-Fresh the Lion.
“To now contribute creatively to a project that will reimagine this space for the community feels like a full circle moment, and I’m proud to help bring our stories and spirit to life here,” he said.
Gillian Kayrooz said she was honoured to work with L-Fresh and the people of Campbelltown to create something that “reflects their stories and spirit, and contributes to a vibrant future for the community, grounded in creativity and resilience”.
The project is set to be delivered by the middle of next year.