Ever since the first in 2015, more than fifty large-scale artworks have been beautifying silos across the country including Western Australia,
South Australia,
Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Here in Country NSW, they can all be found within six hours drive from Sydney.
Barraba
Barraba silo art
Head to
Barraba for
The Water Diviner located just south of the town centre along Manilla Road. Sydney artist Fintan Magee completed this mural in four weeks using 280 litres of paint. Water divining was commonly employed as a method for finding water in the area. While you're there, why not check out the town's other public artworks too including one with incredible 3D elements! Barraba is approximately 90 kilometres northwest of
Tamworth.
Artwork with 3D elements
Gunnedah silo art
Within the same region, you'll also find silo artwork featuring Australian poet Dorothea Mackellar. Feeling homesick while visiting England, she penned the deeply-resonating poem
My Country at the age of 19. She then went on to publish four books of poems and write three novels before receiving an OBE for her contributions. She died in January 1968. The mural, located on Barber Street in
Gunnedah, was painted by Melbourne street artist Heesco who also has multiple works of art in other locations including the South Australian township of
Karoonda.
Merriwa
Merriwa silo art
Further south is the Merriwa silo art completed in 2019. Along with rich yellow canola crop, high quality fine merino wool has long been integral to the district's economy. The annual
Festival of the Fleeces is also synonymous with Merriwa. Iconically, hundreds of sheep wearing red socks run down the main street during the festival. Look closely and you'll see these red socks being represented in David Periera's artwork too. The silos can be viewed from Hacketts Road.
Dunedoo
Dunedoo silo art
Also along the Golden Highway is the township of
Dunedoo where Peter Mortimore and his wife Carolyn have been commissioned to paint all sides of its silo. Their mural depicts not only local jockey Hugh Bowman and trainer Chris Waller but also the district's rural landscape.
Dunedoo silo art
Portland silo art
At the soon-to-be transformed cement works in
Portland, you'll find a representation of the past through images of six former employees as painted by renowned artist Guido Van Helten. Be sure to walk right around the structure in order not to miss any of the images. Portland was once a tight-knit industrial community with a great workforce. As a result, lives were inevitably impacted by the industry. It is hoped that this artwork, together with all the imposing structures, will continue to remind us of the stories and achievements of the town's people. For those who are really keen, you can also visit
Coonalpyn in South Australia and
Brim in Victoria for more of Guido's stunning works.
Harden
Harden silo art
Heading southwest from Portland will bring you to the township of
Harden. The mural here has again been painted by Heesco. It depicts the history of the town's former Murrumburrah flour mill located at the corner of Albury Street and Lyons Street. Although its position is rather prominent, viewing the mural proved to be quite difficult unless you're able to make your way up a slope to the fence and peer through some trees. Unfortunately, not everyone got to see the mural without obstruction that day.
Grenfell
Grenfell silo art
At the corner of South and West Streets are the Grenfell Commodities silos with yet another of the Melbourne street artist's amazing artwork. Using 180 litres of bulk paint and 800 spray cans, Heesco has successfully represented the region's farming industry and landscape by incorporating sheep, cattle, native birds and a national park into the silo art. There's also
The Big Gold Pick & Pan nearby if you're interested in 'big things'.
Grenfell can easily be reached via Mid Western Highway.
The Big Gold Pick & Pan
Weethalle silo art
Last but not least, the work of artist Heesco Khosnaran is on display once again at
Weethalle approximately 160 kilometres west of Grenfell and 100 kilometres northeast of
Griffith. Completed in 2017, this silo artwork was the first for New South Wales. It stands proudly along Railway Street paying tribute to the district's rich agricultural history. Feel free to stroll onto the open parkland to view the mural up close and personal.
