Arkona Silo Art - Victoria

Completed by Artist Sam Bates Known as (Smug) in April 2022

Internationally renowned street artist Sam Bates, also known as Smug, was selected to paint the Arkona Silo Art 

 mural.  Smug’s career has seen him invited to some of the biggest street art festivals throughout the world, and he is an Australian street art icon on a global level.

Ten kilometers north of Dimboola on the Dimboola-Rainbow Road lies the stunning silo art paying homage to local Arkona legend, Roley Klinge. It also highlights the importance of country tennis to these small communities, a major social event through the summer months.

 Smug faced the challenge of doing justice to the "unofficial Mayor of Arkona" without being able to meet and photograph Roley. Unfortunately Roley had passed away in 1991. To overcome this, Smug came up with an ingenious and original concept.

"What I'm envisioning is a painting celebrating Roley Klinge. I'm thinking a tennis theme mural, as Roley was known for his tennis. I would paint it in a photorealistic manner, in soft tones complimentary to its location, but to put a twist on it and make the silo truly unique I'm picturing an invisible Roley Klinge," said artist, Smug.

"The message would be 'Although he's not here anymore his memory and legacy remains, still inspiring future generations'. Not physically painting the body would also make this an ageless, raceless and genderless mural that can appeal to all walks of life, to interact with the playful tone of the artwork."

Although he did manage to sneak in a small portrait, plus cleverly incorporating "Roley" into a gold watch, something as iconic as Roley's terry-towelling hat and glasses.

Credit: Hindmarsh Shire Council