A while ago I wrote two articles about the Victorian Silo Art trail (part one and part two), which I had visited on our travels. I have just returned from a trip to South Australia and am also following the silo art trail there. Although this is not a comprehensive list, in many regions the area covered is vast and quite remote. You can view a full list of the Australia Silo Art trail website.
of Coonalpy
Painted by Guido van Helten and completed in March 2017. 200 cans of paint were needed for this mural. They were the very first silos to be painted in South Australia, we first visited them in 2018 while traveling through South Australia. The murals on this 30 m silo depict school children in the area. An average of 4,000 vehicles a day pass through this city, many now stop and thanks to these murals, the city has opened new businesses that employ residents.
Paringa
Completed in early 2021 by artists Jack Fran and Sam Brooks, it depicts several of the area’s people of great importance to the history of the local area. George Disher, Sister Elaine Balfour-Ogilvy, Captain Pear Wallace, and Charles Francis Chaffey. You read all about it them here.
Disposal
Titled “Healthy River, Healthy Community” by artist Garry Duncan and my personal favorite Jimmy DVate (from Melbourne). It took almost 16 weeks to complete and 500 gallons of paint. It features the local fauna and flora of the Waikeri region. Waikeri means Rain Moth in the local native dialect, which also appears in Garry’s art. It is painted on both sides and is next to the fantastic cliff walk overlooking the mighty Murray River. This installation was completed in December 2018.
Eudunda
Was painted by artist Sam Brooks and completed July 2021. Sam calls them the story silos.
My silo tells a story about two children, who share stories about their past and their culture. These two kids use these local books as a way to teach each other about their history, culture, and connections to the area.
The famous local author, Colin Thiele, wrote Sun on the Stubble while reflecting on this area. The book is about the hardships, the farming community and the daily experiences of rural life in Eudunda. The young girl in my painting carefully steps through her magic book, experiencing cattle, sheepdogs and horsemen as they travel through a golden dust storm. I wanted to present the kind of idealized snapshot of how things used to be, as a child would imagine.
Sam Brooks
Farrell flat
Artists include Jarrod Soden and Mathew Knights (Perplset Designs) depicting the last train passing through the historic township. The former Roseworthy-Peterborough railway through the town from the late 1800s to mid 1900s. Completed in November 2020, it used 150 gallons of paint and took the two artists 140 hours to paint the 100-foot-tall silo. It was the 42 silo painted in Australia.
Copeville
The Copeville silos are probably the most remote we traveled to on this trip and sadly missed by many due to their remoteness, but well worth the trip. Can’t say I was impressed with the biting sandflies! Completed in October 2022, they are the latest silo art in South Australia, with more being added across Australia. The town originated on the Waikerie Railway, but the line has long since closed and the town has since fallen into disrepair. The bulk grain silos are still operational, but only when needed due to a bumper crop season.
Final thoughts
These silos have been a boon to many small townships across Australia. Visitors draw from all over Australia and even the world. Many belong to the Viterra group and are often supported and paid for by the community, as well as many local businesses that support these efforts. Some have reopened towns and businesses and created jobs, while these remote rural areas often lack employment opportunities. They are a treat to see in person, I’ve even seen one painted. Incredible.
If you’re looking for a road trip in Victoria, South Australia or anywhere in Australia, check out the Australian Silo Art Trail. So much to see.
Tip:
These silos are large, 30m in most cases. I used my Sony 16-35mm wide angle lens to take most of these shots. Admittedly it warps them a bit at times, but I managed to get most of the silo in one go. Often there is no room to go back far enough to get it all in one shot with a narrower focal length.
