Silo Art Waikerie South Australia
Located above the banks of the Murray River in the township of Waikerie in South Australia, the Waikerie Silo Art stands out as an extraordinary example of public-art transformation. The installation, commissioned for silos owned by Viterra and located at Ian Oliver Drive, was completed in late 2018. The artwork is titled “Healthy River, Healthy Community”, and that theme runs through every aspect of its design and execution.
Origins & Artists
The project brought together two Australian street art specialists: Jimmy Dvate (Melbourne-based) and Garry Duncan (from Kanmantoo, SA). Duncan’s work dominates one silo, while Dvate’s elaborate fauna-and-flora paintings cover the other. With the silos painted on both sides you can view the artwork from the land and from the river.
Themes & Imagery
On Dvate’s silo you’ll find depictions of local native species: a large yabby, the endangered Regent Parrot, the Murray Hardyhead fish, and the spiny daisy among others. Meanwhile, Duncan’s work is more abstract, with a sweeping river-landscape. The river becomes a living entity, populated by turtles, frogs, fish, and birds. It also includes the Rainmoth (the insect from which ‘Waikerie’ is derived in indigenous language).
Technical & Community Aspects
Over a combined 16 weeks, the two artists used nearly 500 litres of paint and elevated work platforms to cover 360 degrees of both silos. The project was made possible by a range of local bodies and volunteers. These included the Waikerie Silo Art committee, the Nature Foundation SA, the South Australian Government’s “Fund My Neighbourhood” grant, and local service clubs.
What to Expect
Situated on a clifftop overlooking the Murray, the installation can be appreciated from multiple vantage points: the car park area on Forest Road for buses and cars, and from the river itself. Picnic seating is available, and the parking is generous. While you are there, walk towards the river for some fantastic views over the Murray.
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