Murray Bridge News

Share this post

Three ideas shortlisted for Murray Bridge silo artwork

www.murraybridge.news

Three ideas shortlisted for Murray Bridge silo artwork

Artist Sam Bates, AKA Smug, has suggested three concepts at a community meeting about the upcoming project.

Peri Strathearn
Feb 28, 2022
1
1
Share this post

Three ideas shortlisted for Murray Bridge silo artwork

www.murraybridge.news

This story was originally published behind Murray Bridge News’ paywall. Paywalled stories are unlocked four weeks after publication. Can’t wait that long? Subscribe here.

Artist Sam “Smug” Bates specialises in portraits, such as this one on the silos at Wirrabarra. Photo: Supplied by the Rural City of Murray Bridge.

Three possible designs have been put forward for the artwork to be painted on Murray Bridge's silos.

Artist Sam “Smug” Bates heard from about a dozen locals at an online community meeting last Monday night.

He presented three broad ideas for the silo artwork, based on feedback the Murray Bridge council gathered through a recent survey:

  • Portraits of three or four people, ideally of different ages, backgrounds and so on

  • An image of a father and daughter fishing in the River Murray

  • A nature scene, with birds and animals

Mr Bates was most excited about the idea of the fishing scene, but said he remained open to locals’ ideas.

“I’m a portrait artist,” he said via a video link from the UK.

“I specialise in painting people.

“Obviously if you ask a portrait artist for concepts, they’re going to be people-based.”

The council’s survey, done late last year, suggested that the River Murray, Ngarrindjeri culture and local history were the themes most people wanted the artwork to show.

Nature and the bunyip had been the most popular suggestions from local schoolchildren.

Murray Bridge’s silo artwork will be visible from all around. Photo: Rural City of Murray Bridge.

Opinions were mixed among those at the meeting.

Councillor Clem Schubert made it clear he’d rather see a more traditional mural showing aspects of the district’s farming history, boat restorer Steve Moritz suggested something relating to river trade, while reconciliation advocate Peter Crowley wondered if an image of the late Ngarrindjeri elder Albert Karloan or pioneer Mary-Ann Edwards would be appropriate.

The artist and Murray Bridge’s councillors are due to come up with a final concept design at a meeting next Monday.

Mr Bates will then paint a small-scale draft of the artwork for public circulation after the council’s March 15 meeting.

Things will move quickly after that – he is due to come and paint the silos in April.

The silo artwork project will be jointly funded by the Murray Bridge council and the federal government.

1
Share this post

Three ideas shortlisted for Murray Bridge silo artwork

www.murraybridge.news
Previous
Next
1 Comment
Peter
Mar 4, 2022·edited Mar 28, 2022

The selection of Artist Sam "Smug" Bates was brilliant because I believe that his work as portrayed on the Wirrabarra Silos has produced one of Australia's Best in Silo Art and to have him as our artist is a great choice. As you can see his talent above in the Wirrabarra Silo then I believe he should depict Four portraits of 1. Queen Monart from the photo that has the new bridge in the backgroud. 2. Mary Ann Edwards and her cottage in the background. 3. A Riverboat Captaiin at his wheel with a boat and Barge river background 4. A Farmer in a paddock with Horse team ploughing in background. Photos of these subjects are available and given Sam's talent then these 4 subjects would put us as "outstanding" on the Silo Art Trails.

Expand full comment
Reply
TopNewCommunity

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Murray Bridge News Pty Ltd
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing