Photo by: Annette Green
Work on the Avoca Silo began in March 2021 and was painted by artist Jimmi Buscombe.
Upon its completion Avoca has become Australia's 47th painted silo art location.
The Grant was funded though the Dept. of Premier & Cabinet's Community Grants Fund.
Jimmi has painted two large images, one of the endangered Barking Owl and the other of the vulnerable Brush-tailed Phascogale, both local, native animals of the Pyrenees Ranges. By highlighting native flora and fauna from the region Jimmi and the Avoca Community Arts & Gardens, who commissioned the design, hope to build awareness about the
rare and endangered species.
The silo will also feature a night time interactive element not previously seen on the Australian Silo Art Trail. Glow in the dark strontium paint will be used to highlight elements of the design to
provide an interactive experience.
The front surface of the silo will be used as a projection screen for movies, film festivals and video art, with the land in front of the silo landscaped for people to visit with chairs, picnic rugs and bean bags for these events.
Words from the artist Jimmi Buscombe
My Silo Art is likely to take about four weeks in total. I am painting two murals, one depicting the endangered Barking Owl and the other the threatened Brush Tailed Phascogale, both animals native to the local Pyrenees Ranges, which will also be depicted in the murals. I am painting a star-burst sky behind both animals which will not be seen during the day. The stars will be painted using special glow in the dark paint. Visitors in the evening can then press a button that will flood the murals with light, charging the glow paint and leaving the sky, the owls eyes and the Pyrenees Ranges glowing in the dark for some time afterward.
The Silo is located at 2 Station St Avoca, which runs parallel to the rail track across from the station building. The Barking Owl mural faces Station St with the Phascogale mural to appear on the silo's opposite side facing the rail Track. Viewing the Phascogale will be best achieved via a pathway on the other side of the track which can be accessed from the Station's carpark.
Built in 1876, the heritage listed Avoca Railway Station, under lease to Avoca Community Arts & Gardens, offers visitors art at Gallery 127, refreshments at the Tiny Lola Platform Café and plants at the Community Plant Nursery.
Source: Avoca Arts
