THE special silo art tribute to the armed services painted on GrainCorp’s silos in Devenish, Victoria, has been completed in time for Anzac Day and coincides with the 100-year centenary of the end of the First World War.
The artwork by Melbourne-based artist Cam Scale depicts a First World War nurse next to a modern-day combat medic.
Fifty young men and women from the Devenish community enlisted in military service for the First World War.
Mr Scale said the work was a visual tribute to those young people and to the changing role of women in the armed services and society.
“The concept for this work came from a suggestion from the Devenish community wanting to acknowledge and pay tribute to the contribution this town made to Australia’s war effort,” he said.
“We decided to look at the changing role of women in military service.
“Part of the joy of doing this work in Devenish has been being part of the community for a few weeks, meeting so many local people and hearing their stories.
“It is also a real joy to me to see so many people enjoying the work and responding to it.”
Kevin Mitchell, the local farmer who led the local effort to have the silo painted, said everyone in Devenish has enjoyed seeing the work unfold.
“We are delighted with the way Cam has brought our idea to reality,” Mr Mitchell said.
“We have looked forward to having this artistic tribute to the contribution our town made to Australia’s war effort, and this does it beautifully.”
The project has been a partnership between GrainCorp, the Benalla Rural City Council, the artist and the local community.
GrainCorp’s Victoria regional manager, Peter Johnston, said: “The artwork is an extraordinary addition to the Silo Art Trail. GrainCorp is a proud Australian company and we hope this is a valued addition to the community for many years to come.
Mayor, Don Firth, said the Council was very pleased to support the Devenish community in its initiative to be part of the silo art trail.
“I congratulate the Devenish community on its initiative, Cam for his artwork and GrainCorp for making its silos available.
“Silos are a centrepiece of many rural towns and to have the Devenish silo join the Silo Art Trail is wonderful.”
The project is supported by the Benalla Rural City Council, GrainCorp and the Devenish community including local grain growers who have a long and proud affiliation with the silo.
Painting started on Wednesday, April 11, and used over 55 litres of paint.
Source: GrainCorp, www.graincorp.com.au
For more information on Silo art: www.graincorp.com.au/siloart
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I recently visited the silo artworks at Tungamah, St James, Devenish and Goorambat. Below is the link to the post I wrote for my travel blog.
http://justme.travel/unique-silo-art-celebrates-local-communities-and-fauna/
Should you wish to, I give permission for you to reprint the post in full or part thereof, including the photographs, which are my own. All I ask is that I am acknowledged as the writer and photographer.
Wonderful, just wonderful. What a fitting tribute to our wonderful men and women and the true Australian spirit. Lest we forget.