Vote for your favourite designs for the River Country Art Trail

Voting began on Tuesday, July 2, and closes on Friday, July 12.

Moama

My concept The Trees for the Forest speaks to the small details that create the identity of Moama, while integrating with the architecture and the unique location of the silo to appear through the trees. The stylised eucalypts are a strong connection to the river and the surrounds of Moama, forming the foundation for the town and to the natural state of the area as it has been for thousands of years. The design is a reflection of the past and present — nature and the built form, all weaving with a stylised tapestry of influences that make up Moama. The artwork is also a celebration of the community of Moama, highlighting the collection of individuals rather than the bigger picture and the collective. As there are so many elements that make up the identity of Moama, I want to create a balanced composition that reflects this detail while speaking to the sense of scale and architecture offering an experience at scale and up close to reveal all the elements.

— Chris Nixon — Chrisnixon.net

This mural features the vibrant golden wattle, Australia’s national flower, arranged elegantly in a vase. The golden wattle symbolises the new and modern Australia, brimming with growth and vitality. The background pays homage to Aboriginal people, the original custodians of the land, celebrating their rich culture. The design depicted on the background here is a holder design — the artist will collaborate with a local Aboriginal artist on this project for them to create the background design. Their artistic contribution will be integral in the design to ensure the mural has a respectful and genuine representation of Aboriginal culture. They would also be involved in painting enriching the mural with cultural depth and strengthen community ties through shared creativity and respect for heritage. The artist is also open to utilising the existing black background of the tower, which would add to the depth and richness of the overall image due to the glossiness, and incorporate a design on the vase that is in collaboration with a local Aboriginal artist. The integration will create a harmonious blend between the mural and its surroundings.

— Bezt — Bezt.org

This artwork is based on the strong connection Moama has with the natural environment, which is important to the local residents, industry, tourism and the people of the Yorta Yorta nation. I was able to speak with a local Yorta Yorta artist who was generous enough to share stories and connections to the birds of the region. I chose the white-faced heron, locally referred to as the “blue crane,” as the centrepiece for my composition. This bird holds significant cultural importance to the Yorta Yorta people and is well known to residents and visitors of the Murray River region. The crimson rosella, rainbow lorikeet, azure kingfisher, and superb fairy wren, are also included to create a rich colour palette for the work. To balance these colourful and exotic birds, I incorporated some real ‘locals’ into the work — the humble Australian magpie and common myna. We live with these birds daily, and they are as much worth celebrating as their more exotic and colourful mates. I have included the river red gum in the composition.

Twoone has provided various background colour options, which are gradients derived from the rich colours of the light are sunset and dusk in Moama, including deep blue and purple, light blue or yellow/orange depicted here.

— Twoone — hiroyasutsuri.com/

To vote for the Moama designs, head to https://yoursay.murrayriver.nsw.gov.au/moama-river-country-art-trail

Mathoura

Central to the image are two young boys enjoying the afternoon sun on a rope swing into the Gulpa river. Children are the future of these communities, and the essence of playfulness captured in this scene is something to which we can all relate. The polaroid showcases our milling history, emphasizing the extraordinary resilience of our early settlers. This visual metaphor underscores the importance of honouring our heritage while simultaneously looking towards the future. The railways that connected these communities were built with timber from these forests, laying the foundation for our growth, but our gaze is firmly set on the horizon. There are also native birds and animals thriving in the red gum forest. These are more than just fauna; they represent our commitment to preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of the region. There’s also a depiction of a young girl fishing for yabbies in the river. This image evokes fond memories of growing up in a rural community, where the river is the lifeblood of these communities — it’s a way of life. It highlights the importance of imparting our core values to future generations, as they are the building blocks of tomorrow.

— Ketones6000 — www.instagram.com/ketones6000/

This design combines certain icons related to Mathoura as “patches” that are adorned on the tower, which turns it into a trophy display; celebrating what makes Mathoura the place it is. Patches include local sport clubs, timber milling and red gums. The colours are bright to stand out against the shaded location. By representing select native flora and fauna as well as unique location specific activities and outdoor place-making features for the town of Mathoura, including the significance of red gums, references to local fauna including the long-billed corella and Murray cod, these represent the natural world as it exists in Mathoura. The artist is open to adjusting the ratio of patches/ animals and adding other patches that showcase elements of life in Mathoura in response to community feedback.

— 23rd Key — www.23rdkey.com/

Dulk’s concept artwork is inspired by the local wildlife and natural ecosystem of the Murray river, particularly around the Mathoura area. This place is an incredible inspiration source, an incalculable natural treasure and the artists would love to convert this nature into a very special artwork to create awareness and interest to change people’s behaviour about climate change and protection of our ecosystems. Dulk paints as he dreams, with delicate pairs of cold and warm colours: cadmium yellows, oranges, yellowish ochres, and some broken carmine, opposed to light blue, bluish green, aquamarine, and violets to create unique worlds full of fantasy but with a touch of realism at the same time. Despite the vivid and rich colours that characterise Dulk’s creations, each artwork is designed to incorporate the palette of the ecosystem where it will be displayed. This approach ensures the piece integrates into its surroundings while preserving the distinctive essence of Dulk’s signature palette. Dulk has included a wide range of animals including the platypus, echidna, Murray short-necked turtle, Major Mitchell’s cockatoo, azure kingfisher, Murray cod, yellowbelly fish and Murray river crab among many others.

— Dulk — dulk.es/

To vote for the Mathoura designs, head to https://yoursay.murrayriver.nsw.gov.au/mathoura-river-country-art-trail

Barham

Rising before the first light of dawn on April 25, the community of Barham gathers for the annual Barham-Koondrook Anzac Day parade. The crisp morning air carries a solemn sense of anticipation as the town prepares for the dawn service. Families and individuals make their way to the Barham Bridge that spans NSW/Victoria, where the soft murmur of voices and the gentle rustling of flags create a reverent atmosphere. The service commences as the sun begins to edge over the horizon, casting a golden glow down the Murray river. The march led by old George Rathbone and his trusty steed Tuff, followed by the Highland Band marching to the sound of their instruments honouring the sacrifices of the Anzacs, such as the story of local Anzac hero Edgar Pickles honouring his heroism and resilience with the haunting notes of the Last Post and a shared silence uniting the community in remembrance and gratitude, lest we forget!

The people depicted are examples, the clothing can be modified in the final design. The red dotted lines indicate what can be viewed from each angle and will not be painted onto the mural.

— Gus Eagleton — www.guseagleton.com

This work depicts the Anzac Day march crossing the Barham Bridge. Using the figures of Light Horseman, historic World War I solider and marching band, moving in step around the Water Tower. These figures will stand raised from the base representing the crossing of the river. Flags of the parade cropped off at the top are to add greater movement and spectacle. Figures would be a slightly stylised in a repeating stance that changes depending on what instrument or object each is holding to give a feeling of flow and unity as the viewer circles the structure. Four white rings around the lower section of the work represent the railings of the centre section of the Barham Bridge and there is a silhouetted riverbank in the distance.

— Cam Scale — www.camscale.com

The proposed artwork will feature a bagpiper from The Bendigo Highland Band, framed by the silhouette of the historic Barham Bridge. The reverse side of the water tank will feature a larger-than-life Anzac memorial. The blue sky symbolises hope, peace and continuity. The bagpiper shown is indicative of the design, E.L.K. will collaborate with the band to work with a willing participant to be depicted. The silhouette of the bridge symbolises connectivity, resilience and the ties that bind the community. The bugler playing the Last Post will honour the brave men and women who served and sacrificed, capturing the spirit of the Barham-Koondrook Anzac Day parade and the community’s deep respect for its history.

— E.L.K — www.elkstencils.com.au

To vote for the Barham designs, head to https://yoursay.murrayriver.nsw.gov.au/barham-river-country-art-trail

Moulamein

The artwork is a celebration of the natural world, specifically highlighting the water birds that inhabit the Edwards River and Billabong Creek. It showcases the great eastern egret, the little pied cormorant, the Brolga and the white-faced heron. The scene depicted is fragmented yet tranquil, capturing the essence of a calm twilight setting. The design creates a serene and beautiful motif, complemented by a harmonious colour palette that enhances the peaceful atmosphere. This artwork invites viewers to appreciate the beauty and serenity of these wetland environments and the diverse avian life they support.

Water birds are integral to Moulamein, NSW, nestled in the diverse wetland habitats of the Riverina region, which include rivers, billabongs, and marshlands. These environments host a wide array of bird species, enriching the area’s biodiversity. Beyond their ecological role, water birds attract tourists, birdwatchers, and nature enthusiasts, bolstering the local economy through wildlife tourism and recreational activities. They also contribute significantly to wetland health by controlling insect populations, spreading seeds, and aiding in nutrient cycling. Culturally, water birds hold deep significance for Indigenous communities, influencing traditional practices and narratives that connect people to their natural heritage.

— Justine McAllister — www.instagram.com/justinemcallister

My concept for the Moulamein water tower mural is divided into three sections, each depicting the themes of natural world and environment, belonging and community, and history and heritage of Moulamein. The first section depicts the lake with Murray cod and golden perch in the water. Up above a wedge-tailed eagle is soaring in the sky while yellow and crimson rosellas sit on the gumtree branch. Further away we can see couple of horses cooling in the shade of a peppercorn tree. The second section has images placed around to invoke the feeling of looking through photographs in a family album, a collection of snapshots of favourite memories from around town. The artist is open to include or change any particular image the community wishes to be painted on the water tower via these photographs. The third section depicts the history and heritage of Moulamein, from the Big Tree to the Court House, Mooloomoon shed and the shearing history. This section is all black and white and sepia tones to reflect the rich history of the oldest town in the Riverina.

— Heesco — www.heesco.com/portfolio

The tower of houses is a symbol of both inhabiting a place and settling in it; it represents both the built structures and the natural environment that hosts them. The animals that inhabit the human houses thus evoke an exchange, a sharing of spaces and resources (the river, etc.), as well as a healthy and balanced proximity to nature.

The joined houses are also for us a symbol of community and collaboration, a large structure made up of many elements that cooperate within and for it. The animals chosen are typical of the area and are divided into defined groups, with some exceptions to create connections. At the lowest level, the base on which the tower rests, there are cows and sheep, directly recalling the town’s past, on which the current situation is built. Moving up, we encounter some water-related animals, then at the third level terrestrial animals, and at the top, some birds. The exceptions are the frog, an amphibian, which connects the first and second levels, and the flying squirrel, which links the terrestrial animals to the birds. The actual ladder thus becomes part of the tower of houses, a symbolic path that traverses the environments and ideally allows reaching the different subjects. For the houses, we chose to work with a simple aesthetic and were inspired by the existing architecture in Moulamein, including the oldest wooden structures. The colour palette is also inspired by the location, with the aim of remaining elegant and integrated, but also making an impact.

— Nevercrew — nevercrew.com/

To vote for the Moulamein designs, head to https://yoursay.murrayriver.nsw.gov.au/moulamein-river-country-art-trail

For more information about the project, visit the Your Say Murray River website.