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Alleyway Gallery Bankstown

Peque - Sydney graffiti artist, painting at the alleyway gallery in Bankstown

A Curated Public Art Project for Canterbury-Bankstown Council

Blackbook Ink was engaged by Canterbury-Bankstown Council to curate and deliver a multi-artist mural project in a pedestrian alleyway connecting Bankstown Train Station to Bankstown Sports Club.

The project was titled Alleyway Gallery, reflecting the idea of transforming a functional pedestrian route into an open-air gallery of framed street art and graffiti-inspired murals.

Rather than creating one continuous mural, the project featured six individual artworks by six different artists, each painted within a defined section of the alleyway.

Each artist was allocated a section measuring approximately 2.5m wide x 1.9m high, creating a collection of individual artworks that worked together as one larger public art experience.

The project was completed over two days, with strong positive feedback from local residents and people passing through the space.

Watch the Alleyway Gallery Come Together

This short project video shows the Alleyway Gallery taking shape over the two-day installation, with each artist painting their framed mural section inside the Bankstown pedestrian alleyway.

The video captures the transformation from a standard pedestrian link into a curated open-air gallery connecting Bankstown Station and Bankstown Sports Club.

Project Overview

Project Title: Alleyway Gallery

Client: Canterbury-Bankstown Council
Location: Bankstown, NSW
Site: Alleyway between Bankstown Train Station and Bankstown Sports Club

Project Type: Public art / curated mural project / multi-artist mural
Artists: Mystery, Peque, Sekt Compton, Paul Riots, Phibs, Chris Woe

Installation Time: 2 days

Alleyway Gallery Bankstown public graffiti art project

The Brief

The brief was to improve the appearance of a busy pedestrian alleyway in Bankstown through a curated public art project.

The project was named Alleyway Gallery to reflect the idea of turning the alleyway into a walk-through public art experience.

Rather than commissioning one single mural across the full site, the concept was to bring together multiple artists with different visual styles and backgrounds. This allowed the alleyway to feel more like a public gallery, with each artist contributing a unique artwork within a consistent framed format.

The project needed to:

  • Improve the appearance of the alleyway
  • Create a stronger visual experience for pedestrians
  • Support public art in Bankstown
  • Include artists with strong graffiti and street art backgrounds
  • Bring together different styles in one cohesive project
  • Connect with the local community
  • Be completed within a short installation window
  • Create a professional and visually organised outcome
  • Present the alleyway as an open-air gallery

Curating the Artist Lineup

Blackbook Ink curated a diverse group of six artists, selecting each artist for their unique style, cultural relevance and connection to graffiti, street art or Western Sydney creative practice.

The artist lineup included:

Mystery

Mystery is an iconic Sydney graffiti writer with strong roots in the local area. His inclusion helped connect the project to Bankstown’s graffiti and street art history.

Peque

Peque is an international artist from Mexico known for his characters, technical ability and unique visual style. His work brought an international street art influence to the alleyway.

Sekt Compton

Sekt Compton, Blackbook Ink’s lead artist, contributed his own mural section to the project, bringing his long-term experience in graffiti, mural painting and public art.

Paul Riots

Paul Riots is a Western Sydney graffiti artist known for portrait-based mural work. His inclusion added a strong figurative and realism-based element to the project.

Phibs

Phibs is known for his distinctive graffiti art style, often featuring bold linework, layered forms and thick hieroglyphic-style influences.

Chris Woe

Chris Woe is a local graffiti artist known for quirky two-dimensional characters and a playful visual language.

Together, the six artists created a broad mix of graffiti, character work, portraiture, illustration and abstract street art.

The Alleyway Gallery Concept

A key visual idea for the project was to make each mural feel like an artwork inside a gallery frame.

To achieve this, each artist was given a defined wall section measuring approximately 2.5m x 1.9m.

After the artworks were painted, a cornice was mounted around each section and painted gold. This created the illusion that each mural was framed, turning the alleyway into the Alleyway Gallery.

This approach helped bring consistency to the project while still allowing each artist to maintain their own individual style.

The gold frames also elevated the presentation of the artworks, making the finished project feel deliberate, curated and more refined than a standard alleyway mural.

Peque - Sydney graffiti artist, painting at the alleyway gallery in Bankstown

Project Delivery

The project was completed over two days.

Blackbook Ink managed the artist coordination, site layout and overall project delivery to ensure the artworks worked together visually while still giving each artist enough freedom to create in their own style.

The delivery included:

  • Curating and briefing six artists
  • Dividing the alleyway into individual mural sections
  • Allocating each artist a 2.5m x 1.9m space
  • Coordinating painting over a two-day period
  • Managing the overall visual flow of the project
  • Mounting cornice frames around each artwork
  • Painting the cornices gold to create a framed-gallery effect

This created a strong balance between individual artist expression and a cohesive public art outcome.

Graffiti art concept for Alleyway Gallery Bankstown project

The Outcome

The completed Alleyway Gallery transformed the Bankstown alleyway into a more vibrant, engaging and visually memorable pedestrian route.

By using multiple artists, the project created variety and discovery along the walkway. Each artwork had its own identity, while the gold frame treatment tied the whole project together.

During the two-day installation, many local residents and passers-by commented on how much the alleyway had improved and how good the artwork looked.

The final outcome achieved several goals:

  • Improved the appearance of a public pedestrian route
  • Created the Alleyway Gallery as an open-air public art experience
  • Brought together local, national and international street art influences
  • Supported graffiti and street art culture in Bankstown
  • Created visual interest between Bankstown Station and Bankstown Sports Club
  • Encouraged positive feedback from local residents
  • Demonstrated how smaller mural sections can work together as one larger public art project
  • Delivered a council mural project within a short timeframe
framed street art murals in Bankstown

Why This Project Worked

This project worked because it treated the alleyway as more than a wall to be painted.

By naming the project Alleyway Gallery and dividing the space into individual framed sections, the project created a gallery-style experience that encouraged people to look at each artwork separately while still reading the full alleyway as one curated public art project.

The artist selection was also important. Each artist brought a different visual language, from iconic Sydney graffiti and Mexican character-based street art to Western Sydney portraiture, abstract graffiti forms and playful local characters.

The result was a public artwork that felt layered, accessible and connected to street art culture.

This project is a strong example of Blackbook Ink’s ability to curate, coordinate and deliver community murals and public art projects for councils and public spaces.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Services Used

This project included:

  • Public art curation
  • Council mural project management
  • Artist selection and coordination
  • Multi-artist mural delivery
  • Graffiti and street art curation
  • Site layout planning
  • Outdoor mural painting
  • Framed mural presentation
  • Gold cornice installation
  • Public space activation
  • Open-air gallery concept development
  • Community-facing artwork

For similar projects, explore our mural services, community murals and public art, and graffiti art services pages.

Planning a Council Mural or Public Art Project?

Blackbook Ink works with councils, schools, community groups and organisations to curate, design and deliver public art projects that improve spaces and connect with local communities.

Whether your project involves a single mural, a multi-artist laneway project, graffiti art, street art or public-space activation, we can help guide the process from concept to completion.

View more completed work in our mural portfolio, or speak with our team about a future council mural or public art project.

Get A Quote

FAQs

Yes. Blackbook Ink can curate and manage multi-artist mural projects, including artist selection, briefing, site layout, scheduling and delivery.

Yes. Blackbook Ink works with councils, schools, community organisations and public-space partners to create murals, graffiti art, street art and community-focused public art projects.

Yes. Graffiti artists can bring strong visual impact, cultural relevance and technical skill to public art projects. Blackbook Ink can help select artists whose style and experience suit the site and project goals.

Yes. Murals can transform laneways, pedestrian links and underused public spaces by improving visual appeal, creating points of interest and encouraging positive community engagement.

Timelines depend on the number of artists, site size, access, design requirements and approvals. This Bankstown alleyway project was completed over two days, with each artist painting a defined mural section.

The project was named Alleyway Gallery because the concept was to transform a functional pedestrian alleyway into an open-air gallery. Each artist painted an individual mural section, and gold-painted cornice frames were mounted around the artworks to create the feeling of framed gallery pieces in a public space.

blackbookink

Rainbow Lorikeet Mural – West Ryde

Sydney Public Art Mural in West Ryde

Year

2023

Client

City Of Ryde Council

Project Overview

Blackbook Ink was engaged by the City of Ryde Council to design and deliver a large-scale mural as part of their Graffiti Management Project.

Located in West Ryde, Sydney, on a prominent wall at 59A Ryedale Road, the mural was created to transform a previously targeted graffiti site into a visually engaging public artwork.

The design reflects the surrounding environment and local identity, reinforcing our approach as mural artists in Sydney delivering site-responsive public art projects.

This project is an example of our work as mural artists in Sydney, delivering site-responsive public art for councils and communities.

Concept & Design Approach

Following the successful tender, site meetings were held with Council representatives and the building owner to establish direction for the mural.

A key part of the process was community consultation, where local residents were invited to provide input on themes and subject matter for the artwork.

Based on this feedback, three nature-inspired concepts were developed, each incorporating local flora and fauna.

The selected design features a rainbow lorikeet – a species commonly seen in nearby Anzac Park  set against a soft, atmospheric background.

This approach ensured the mural felt connected to the area, rather than imposed onto it.

Delivery & Execution

The mural was completed over a two-week period, including:

  • Surface preparation of the existing brick wall
  • Full-scale layout and composition
  • Detailed spray paint rendering
  • Final protective coating application

Executed in a high-detail, realistic style, the artwork was designed to read strongly from a distance while holding detail up close.

An anti-graffiti coating was applied on completion to increase durability and protect the artwork long-term.

Outcome & Impact

The mural successfully transformed the site from a graffiti-prone wall into a positive visual asset for the community.

As part of the NSW Government’s Graffiti Management Project, the work contributes to:

  • Reducing vandalism through activation of space
  • Improving the visual quality of the streetscape
  • Creating a stronger sense of local identity
  • Delivering a recognisable landmark within West Ryde

The mural continues to resonate with the community, particularly due to its connection to the local birdlife seen daily in the area.

This project demonstrates how well-designed murals can reduce repeat graffiti while improving the overall visual quality of public spaces.

Explore more of our community mural projects or learn more about our mural services.

Project Highlights

  • Large-scale public mural in a high-visibility location
  • Community-informed design process
  • Site-responsive concept tied to local environment
  • Delivered in collaboration with Council and stakeholders
  • Long-term durability with protective coating system

Mural Artists Sydney – Public Art Specialists

Blackbook Ink works with councils across Sydney to deliver large-scale mural projects that transform public spaces and reduce vandalism through thoughtful design.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Camden pump Station Mural

kookaburra mural on pump station for public art project painted for Camden Council

Community Mural Workshop, Local Wildlife & Site-Specific Public Art in Camden

Blackbook Ink was commissioned to create the Camden pump station mural, a public art project delivered for Camden Council in conjunction with Sydney Water.

The mural was painted on a Sydney Water pump station in Camden, transforming a functional infrastructure asset into a site-specific public artwork connected to the local environment, community and landscape.

A key part of the project involved working with students from Camden High School, where we ran a creative workshop with a Year 10 Visual Design class to gather ideas, explore local themes and develop visual concepts for the artwork.

The final mural brought together student input, local flora and fauna, and references unique to the Camden area.

Camden Pump Station Mural Project Overview

Client: Camden Council
Project Partner: Sydney Water
Location: Camden, NSW
Site: Sydney Water pump station

Project Type: Community mural / public art / student engagement
Artist: Sekt Compton
School Engagement: Camden High School Year 10 Visual Design class

Before picture of Camden Pump station

The Brief

The brief for the Camden pump station mural was to improve the appearance of the Sydney Water pump station while reflecting Camden’s local identity.

Rather than creating a generic mural, the goal was to develop an artwork that connected to the surrounding environment and gave local students a chance to contribute ideas to the design process.

The mural needed to:

  • Improve the visual appearance of the pump station
  • Reflect Camden’s local flora and fauna
  • Include student input from Camden High School
  • Respond to the shape and four-sided structure of the site
  • Create a nature-inspired public artwork
  • Connect with the Camden community
  • Be durable enough for an outdoor infrastructure setting
  • Include protection suitable for a flood-exposed site

Student Workshop at Camden High School

As part of the project, Blackbook Ink ran a workshop with students from a Year 10 Visual Design class at Camden High School.

The workshop began with a group brainstorming session on the whiteboard, giving every student the opportunity to voice their ideas and contribute to the direction of the mural. This helped create an open discussion around what the artwork could represent and how it could connect back to Camden.

Students shared ideas around local wildlife, the Nepean River, native plants, community identity and visual elements they felt were relevant to the area.

After the brainstorming session, students folded paper to replicate the four sides of the Sydney Water pump station. This gave them a simple three-dimensional model of the site and helped them understand how the artwork could wrap around the structure rather than sit as a flat image on one wall.

Students then sketched their ideas across the folded paper format, exploring how different animals, plants and landscape elements could work across the four sides of the pump station.

From there, selected ideas and visual elements were refined into one cohesive mural concept. The final design incorporated student input while maintaining a professional, site-specific artwork suitable for a public infrastructure setting.

Student involvement is often used in our school murals and community projects to help create ownership and connection.

Turning Student Ideas Into a Finished Mural

After the Camden High School workshop, the student ideas were reviewed and refined into a single mural concept.

Rather than using one student’s design directly, the final artwork brought together selected elements from across the class. This allowed the mural to reflect a wider range of student input while still creating a cohesive, professional design that worked across the four sides of the pump station.

The final composition focused on Camden’s natural environment, with the Nepean River flowing through the lower section of the artwork and local flora and fauna arranged across the structure.

This approach allowed the mural to feel connected to the site, the students and the wider Camden community.

mural progression at Camden Pump station

Camden Pump Station Mural Design Concept

A Nature-Inspired Mural Rooted in Camden

The final mural concept focused on Camden’s local natural environment, using native flora, fauna and landscape elements to create a sense of place.

The design included:

  • Camden White Gum
  • Nepean River
  • Platypus
  • Wombat
  • Dwarf tree frog
  • Hot air balloon
  • Kookaburra

Each element was chosen to connect the artwork back to Camden and the environment surrounding the pump station.

Concept design for Camden pump station mural

Key Design Elements

Camden White Gum

The Camden White Gum was used as a key feature within the mural because of its strong local significance.

This tree is associated with the Camden area and helped ground the artwork in the local landscape rather than creating a mural that could belong anywhere.

Nepean River

The Nepean River was painted flowing across the lower section of the mural, helping connect the different sides of the pump station and create movement through the artwork.

Because the site is impacted by flooding every few years, the river reference also connected directly to the physical location and environmental conditions of the pump station.

Platypus

A small platypus was included near the river, adding detail and helping reference the local waterways and wildlife.

Wombat

A wombat was added to reflect the wildlife found along the Nepean River and surrounding Camden area.

Its inclusion helped give the artwork a local, character-driven element that would appeal to students and the wider community.

Dwarf Tree Frog

The dwarf tree frog added another layer of local wildlife and visual interest to the mural, helping bring smaller environmental details into the design.

Hot Air Balloon

A hot air balloon was included as a connection to the Camden community, referencing a familiar local symbol and adding a sense of movement, height and optimism to the artwork.

Kookaburra

A kookaburra appeared on another side of the pump station, bringing in a recognisable Australian bird and helping complete the nature-focused design.

Camden pump station mural with local flora and fauna

The Outcome

The completed mural transformed the Sydney Water pump station into a colourful, nature-inspired public artwork connected to Camden’s local environment and community.

By involving Camden High School students in the early design process, the project gave young people a chance to contribute ideas to a public artwork in their local area. This helped create a stronger sense of ownership and connection to the finished mural.

Once the Camden pump station mural was completed, an anti-graffiti coating was applied to help protect the artwork, extend its lifespan and improve durability. This coating also provided an additional layer of protection for the site, which is exposed to flooding every few years due to its location near the Nepean River.

The final artwork achieved several outcomes:

  • Improved the appearance of Sydney Water infrastructure
  • Created a site-specific mural connected to Camden
  • Included student ideas in the design process
  • Highlighted local flora and fauna
  • Referenced the Nepean River and surrounding environment
  • Added visual interest to the public-facing site
  • Created a stronger sense of ownership and connection
  • Used protective coating to support long-term durability
  • Helped protect the mural from graffiti and environmental wear

The Camden pump station mural shows how public infrastructure can be transformed into meaningful community artwork when local stories, student input and environmental themes are brought together.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Why This Project Worked

This project is a strong example of how murals can be used to improve public infrastructure while involving the local community.

Rather than simply painting over a pump station, the process allowed students to explore ideas, contribute concepts and understand how public art can respond to a real site.

The final mural combined professional mural design with community input, creating an artwork that felt connected to Camden’s identity and environment.

This project is also a strong example of our community murals and public art work, combining site-specific design with local student engagement.

Services Used

This project included:

  • Community mural design
  • Student workshop facilitation
  • Whiteboard brainstorming session
  • Public art concept development
  • Site-specific mural design
  • Outdoor mural painting
  • Local flora and fauna illustration
  • Council and infrastructure artwork
  • Multi-sided mural composition
  • Anti-graffiti protective coating
  • Flood-exposed mural protection planning

For similar projects, explore our mural services, mural process and mural costs pages.

Planning a Community Mural or Public Art Project?

Blackbook Ink works with councils, schools, community groups and infrastructure partners to create site-specific murals that reflect local identity and improve public-facing spaces.

Whether your project involves student workshops, public art, local wildlife, storytelling or graffiti prevention, we can help guide the process from concept to completion.

View more completed work in our mural portfolio, or speak with our team about a future community mural or public art project.

Get A Quote

FAQs

Yes. Blackbook Ink creates murals for councils, public spaces, schools, infrastructure sites and community projects. Each mural is designed around the site, audience and project goals.

Yes. Student and community involvement can be included through workshops, brainstorming sessions, design input or supervised painting activities depending on the project.

For this Camden pump station mural, students from Camden High School contributed ideas through a workshop that included whiteboard brainstorming and folded paper models of the pump station.

Yes. Pump stations, utility buildings, public infrastructure walls and service buildings can often be transformed with site-specific murals, depending on access, surface condition and approvals.

Yes. Many Blackbook Ink murals include local plants, animals, waterways and environmental themes to help connect the artwork to the surrounding area.

For this project, the mural included the Camden White Gum, Nepean River, platypus, wombat, dwarf tree frog, kookaburra and a hot air balloon reference connected to the Camden community.

Yes. Protective coatings can be applied to help extend the lifespan of a mural and make the surface easier to maintain.

For outdoor murals, coatings can also help protect against UV exposure, weather and environmental conditions. On this Camden pump station mural, an anti-graffiti coating was applied to help protect the artwork and support long-term durability in a flood-exposed location.

Yes. Blackbook Ink has experience working with councils, schools, government organisations, community groups and infrastructure partners on mural and public art projects.