Rupanyup Silo Art Vic Australia for Mural Monday

 

Rupanyup occupies a pivotal place on the Victorian Silo Art Trail, not only geographically but historically. Its silo artwork is among the earliest completed works on the trail and set a benchmark for how silo art could function as both public art and historical record within the Wimmera–Mallee landscape.

Location and context

The silos stand immediately adjacent to the Rupanyup railway line, a reminder of the town’s origins as a grain-handling and transport hub. Like many Wimmera towns, Rupanyup developed around wheat production, rail logistics, and seasonal labour. The silos, once purely utilitarian, now operate as a vertical canvas visible from kilometres away across the flat, open plains.

Artist and completion

The Rupanyup silos were painted in 2017 by Melbourne-based artist SMUG (Sam Bates), one of Australia’s most technically accomplished photorealistic muralists. At the time, large-scale silo murals were still relatively experimental in Victoria. This project helped legitimise silo art as a serious cultural initiative rather than novelty infrastructure decoration.

Subject matter: two figures, one shared history

Unlike many silo artworks that focus solely on agricultural themes, Rupanyup’s silos present two deeply symbolic local figures, each occupying one silo face:

Uncle Badger Bates

One silo depicts Uncle Badger Bates, a respected Wergaia Elder and Law Man. His inclusion foregrounds the long Aboriginal custodianship of the land, extending tens of thousands of years prior to European settlement. The portrait is rendered with solemn dignity: weathered skin, steady gaze, and fine facial detail that conveys authority rather than sentimentality. His presence reframes the silos—from symbols of colonial agriculture into markers of much older cultural continuity.

Sister Ethel May

The adjoining silo portrays Sister Ethel May, a pioneering bush nurse who served the Rupanyup district in the early 20th century. At a time when medical care in rural Victoria was sparse and travel was arduous, bush nurses were often the sole providers of healthcare across vast distances. Her image represents endurance, service, and the quiet heroism of rural women. The juxtaposition with Uncle Badger Bates is deliberate: two lives shaped by the same land, contributing in different but equally foundational ways to the community.

Artistic style and execution

SMUG’s trademark hyperrealism is evident throughout the work. The scale is monumental, yet the detail is intimate—creases around eyes, subtle tonal variations in skin, and carefully controlled light that prevents distortion when viewed from ground level. The neutral, earthy palette harmonises with the surrounding wheat fields and big skies, ensuring the artwork feels embedded in place rather than imposed upon it.

Cultural significance

Rupanyup’s silo art is often described as one of the most socially thoughtful works on the Victorian Silo Art Trail. It avoids nostalgia and avoids abstraction, instead offering a quiet, balanced statement about shared history, recognition, and coexistence. Importantly, it acknowledges Aboriginal presence not as a preface to settlement, but as an ongoing reality.

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St Arnaud's silo art for Mural Monday

 

The mural is a recent addition to the evolving cultural tapestry of St Arnaud in regional Victoria, yet it already feels deeply rooted in the town’s identity. Like many of the artworks that grace its walls, it draws inspiration from the real people who shaped this place—its miners and pastoralists, its shopkeepers and shearers, its community elders whose stories linger in the main street as surely as their footsteps once did. Each face rendered in paint carries a quiet depth: a furrow that speaks of drought years endured, an uplifted gaze recalling moments of unexpected triumph, a stance that hints at the unrecorded, everyday heroism of country life. These murals are not mere decoration; they are a visual archive, a testament to resilience, memory and belonging.

As I pause before the artwork, I am struck by how its layered colours evoke emotion with surprising clarity—how a single expression can summon both pride and longing, how the careful shading brings a whole life into view. Today, though, contemplation must yield to the frenetic rhythm ahead. The workday promises to be relentless; the “silly season” has begun in earnest, that annual stretch when tempers fray and patience thins, and people seem to vibrate with a restlessness all their own. Yet even as the day threatens its usual chaos, the mural’s quiet dignity lingers with me—a reminder of the steadiness that built this town, and of the human stories that stand firm beneath the rush of passing days.

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Barham NSW Water Tower Art for Mural Monday

 

I frequently journeyed through Barham, New South Wales, situated just beyond the northern border of Victoria. Recently, the town’s silo was adorned with a splendid work of art, masterfully completed by the artist who undertook the Barham Silo project. I find the artistic touch both inspiring and deeply evocative, adding a remarkable cultural dimension to the rural landscape.

The recently completed mural on the Barham water tower in New South Wales stands as a testament to the artistic prowess of Gus Eagleton, a distinguished Australian muralist renowned for his large-scale public artworks. Completed in April 2025, this monumental piece is part of the River Country Art Trail, an initiative that brings vibrant art to regional communities. Eagleton's decade-long career in contemporary muralism is marked by a keen ability to intertwine local narratives with striking visual elements, thereby enriching the cultural tapestry of the locales he engages with. His work in Barham not only enhances the town's visual landscape but also reflects its unique identity and community spirit.

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St Arnaud Silo Arts for Mural Monday

 

I once travelled frequently through the town of St Arnaud en route to my professional duties in Horsham. However, with the advent of telehealth—and the subsequent expiration of all referrals—I no longer have cause to visit this part of Victoria. In earlier times, I would often pause to explore the local shops and, on occasion, take quiet delight in the region’s artistic offerings, including the striking silo art that lends the town its distinctive charm.

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Woomelang Murals Victoria for Mural Monday

 

Woomelang, a small town situated in the Mallee region of Victoria, Australia, has become an unexpected but captivating destination for travelers and art enthusiasts alike, thanks to its contribution to the growing phenomenon of silo art. Like many rural towns in Australia, Woomelang has embraced the use of large grain silos as canvases for monumental public art. The Woomelang silo murals, completed in 2019, are part of the larger "Silo Art Trail" in Victoria’s northwest, which has transformed the landscape of the Australian outback and revitalized interest in these remote communities.

The Woomelang murals are the work of renowned street artist Jimmy Dvate, who is celebrated for his focus on Australian native flora and fauna. The artwork on the silos highlights local wildlife, particularly species that are significant to the Mallee region. Prominently featured are the malleefowl, a threatened ground-dwelling bird native to the area, and the plains-wanderer, an endangered bird species that has become a symbol of conservation efforts in the region. These images are more than just artistic expressions; they serve as reminders of the fragility of the local ecosystem and the importance of environmental stewardship.

The murals also celebrate the rural identity and heritage of Woomelang. By focusing on local fauna, Dvate’s artwork pays homage to the deep connection between the community and its surrounding environment. The vivid and lifelike depictions of these birds, set against the muted tones of the Mallee’s iconic dry landscape, create a striking visual contrast that draws visitors’ attention from afar. The use of large silos as the canvas not only maximizes visibility but also blends contemporary art with the agricultural legacy of the region.

The impact of the Woomelang silo murals has been significant. Once a quiet and relatively isolated town, Woomelang has seen an increase in tourism and local engagement since the completion of the artwork. Travelers exploring the Silo Art Trail often stop in Woomelang, bringing much-needed economic benefits to local businesses such as the general store, cafes, and accommodation providers. Moreover, the murals have fostered a sense of pride among residents, uniting the community around a shared cultural landmark.

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Mobile Silo Art for Mural Monday

 

The recent drive to Woomelang was to visit the 12 mobile silo arts in this abandoned town. 

The process of finding them around the town is like playing a treasure hunt game. I kind of enjoy it.

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Nullawill Silo Art for Mural Monday

 

I gonna resume my drive to the flooded region tomorrow. The photo was taken earlier in the year. 

So hard to motivate myself to do all these again. Climate change.

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This is linking Mural Monday