[press release]
Australia Post looks to towering grain silo art to inspire latest stamp issue
Australia Post is releasing a commemorative issue of four stamps to recognise the towns, businesses and artists who have created iconic art on silos across regional Australia.
Australia Post Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said: “Silo art projects have been appearing across Australia since 2015 and are a magnificent symbol of the local people, natural environment, history and industries that are at the heart of these rural communities”.
“The remarkable painted grain silos have revitalised the local towns, many of which have suffered from drought or population attrition. These murals have put these small country towns firmly on the national and international map, attracting an increasing number of visitors”.
The silo art featured on the four domestic base-rate ($1) stamps are:
- Guido Van Helten, Brim (Victoria): The first silo art in eastern Australia was
commissioned in Brim, Victoria as an initiative of artist Guido van Helten, silo owner GrainCorp and local community organisation Brim Active Group. The 30-metre-tall artwork depicts three men and one woman, wearing hats to shield their faces from the midday sun, and was completed over a three week period. The success of the mural as a tourist attraction encouraged the Yarriambiack Shire to commission five additional GrainCorp silo murals, now known as the Wimmera-Mallee Silo Art Trail. - Drapl and The Zookeeper, Thallon (Queensland): The four 30-metre-high, 40-
metre-wide silos in Thallon were painted as part of a co-initiative between the artists (Drapl and The Zookeeper), the Thallon Progress Association and GrainCorp. Entitled “Watering Hole” the mural depicts aspects of Thallon, including the spectacular sunsets, the picturesque Moonie River, a scarred tree acknowledging the community’s indigenous history and sheep to reference the wool industry. - Amok Island, Ravensthorpe (Western Australia): Artist Amok Island was
commissioned by FORM agency on behalf of silo owners CBH Group to paint their three silos located in Ravensthorpe. Titled Six Stages in Banksia baxteri, the mural depicts local flora and fauna, with each side of the three silos showing a different stage in the flowering cycle of the banksia, an endemic species to the area. - Heesco Khosnaran, Weethalle (New South Wales): The first silo mural to be
created in New South Wales can be found in the Central West town of Weethalle. Inspired by Victoria’s silo trail, the Bland Shire Council called for applications from artists Australia-wide to undertake the project. Heesco Khosnaran was the successful artist selected by the council and community representatives; drawing inspiration for his murals from photographs representing the district’s main agricultural activities: shearing and wheat growing.
The products available with this stamp issue include a first day cover, stamp pack, minisheet, maxicards, self-adhesive booklets of 10 and a booklet collection.
The Silo Art stamp issue is available from 21 May 2018 at participating Post Offices, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps. Please visit auspostcollectables.com.au for more information on the Silo Art stamp issue.
