Paint rollers and projections at the ready! The GrainCorp silos in Quirindi, New South Wales will come to life later this month with a mural and a light show cementing their spot on the Australian Silo Art Trail.
The project, more than 4 years in the making, is set to put Quirindi on the tourism trail with a painting and visual production that resonates with the local residents.
The Quirindi Silo Art Committee, led by Ian Carter, has advocated passionately for a project they know will mean the world to their rural community.
“This project will give Quirindi a bit of a boost. We feel the town has been in need of some revitalisation.
“We see silo artworks providing an increased sense of community happiness, stemming from enjoyable interactions with high quality art, beautification of the everyday environment and reinforced and increased town pride.
Ian Carter, Quirindi Silo Art Committee
“The community has been intrinsically involved in the project since its inception, so there’s a real sense of connectedness and inclusion and we can’t wait to see the completed mural.”
n addition to the painted mural, the project also includes an innovative light projection, managed by Illuminart Australia, featuring an evening light show and complementary animations for the painted mural.
Western Australia based contemporary artist Peter Ryan has been chosen to complete the mural.
While he’s holding the artwork design close to his chest for now, he says it will pay homage to the rich history of Quirindi and Liverpool Plains region.
“I was provided with a lot of information about the history of Quirindi and Liverpool Plains region, which has helped guide the design concept,” he says.
“One of the members of the Silo Art Committee, Jason Allan, shared some fascinating Indigenous-themed stories about how certain animals worked with the Indigenous community as helpers and protectors.
Peter says the unique process of painting a grain silo will take approximately six weeks from start to finish.
“My process is similar to how I paint a fine art on canvas; I’m investing a lot of time into an artwork I want to last, and I know that quality products on a quality surface is the first step to success.
“The first step will be to apply a prep coat over the concrete, then I’ll spray a coloured undercoat to the whole silo. After that, I’ll be drawing on a grid I’ve made from various markings and elements of the silo, then matching the design around the silo before I begin the lengthy detailed painting with rollers and brushes.”
Working with local councils and acclaimed artists, GrainCorp’s Silo Art program is part of the company’s commitment to supporting the economic livelihood of regional communities.
The first silo art project was completed in the Victorian town of Brim in 2015; since then, an additional 13 projects have been completed on GrainCorp silos in Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
“GrainCorp is committed to growing the Australian Silo Art Trail to draw art lovers and tourists back to regional communities, and Quirindi has certainly earned its place on the trail,” says Kyle Docherty, GrainCorp’s Community Engagement Manager.
-GrainCorp
