Wagga Wagga RAAF Base
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Photo by: Sam Brooks
Wagga Wagga RAAF Base Water Tank Art -
New South Wales
Artist: Sam Brooks
Location: RAAF Wagga Aviation Heritage Centre, Newton Rd, Forest Hill, NSW
Written by: Sam Brooks
Photos by: Sam Brooks
Very happy to be sharing this piece with you all, this historically significant piece is titled -
“THEN. NOW. ALWAYS”
Painted by Sam Brooks.
This recently finished piece sits right outside the RAAF Wagga Aviation Heritage Centre, RAAF Base, Wagga Wagga, NSW.
This mural was commissioned as part of a celebration and recognition of the 100 year centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force. The design was created through a collaborative process between Sam and current members of the RSL, RAAF members and local historians.
The vision for the piece was to allow people to understand and connect too, the rich history and incredible contribution and sacrifice the Riverina residents made to our country during World War Two.
The site of this painting is significant, as the Wagga Wagga, Royal Australian Air Force Base base was the main training centre for “Empire Air Training Scheme” - A massive training mission undertaken during 1939 - 1945 - where an incredible 27,387 aircrew were trained in aviation, navigation, engineering and ground operations.
Throughout the mural there are many direct historical references to this piece of history. On the left, The famed pilot and instructor Norman Parry, is painted in front of his hometown map, which links to other major contributing towns of residents such as Narrandera, Uranquinty, Wagga Wagga, Temora and Deniliquin.
Nearing the centre of the mural, we have a reference to the young men that were enlisted sometimes as young as 16 years old being trained by much older and more experienced pilots. Sam wanted to capture the vulnerability and stark contrast between the youth of the boy and the magnitude of his situation.
The centrepiece of the mural is the “Tigermoth” - an iconic training plane used for rookie pilots, it’s trademark yellow paint is what inspired the colour-scheme of this whole painting.
The other significant portrait is Bill Newtown, a Victoria Cross recipient who is actually overlooking his own street, “Newton Parade”, the street where the RAAF base is built.
The stars scattered throughout the piece are inspired by the RAAF pilots motto “Per Ardua Ad Astra” - which is Latin for “Through struggle to the stars”.
Also of significance - the 141 stars represent the 141 people who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their life’s during training.
Sam's hope for this piece is that it allows the viewer to connect to the history and real life heroism, courage and sacrifice that took place right where this mural stands. He hopes to show the epic nature of flight, mastery and artistry of these brilliant machines, but to also use this beauty to draw the audience into recognising the very human loss and sacrifice that these machines are inevitably tied too.
Sam mentions he had a local tell him a story from his childhood. He told Sam how he watched one of these planes go down in his field. It was a Wirraway. He said It looked like a giant fireball plummeting down from the sky. He called it “a fallen angel”. I think that captures the complex mix of pain and the beauty, heroism and loss of this period in time perfectly.
In Sam's own words he was honoured to be chosen as the artist that could bring this part in Australian history to life, it's an incredible honour he says. I am very humbled to bring this story to life in a visual way.
Please visit this piece in person and show your support for the RAAF through visiting the historical museum on base. They have some incredible experiences for all ages.
Sam Brooks.
For behind the scenes and more images :
Instagram: @sambrooksartist
