Over the last seven or so years I have been documenting Silo Art during my travels. Last week I took my wife on a bit of a day trip to Karoonda, in the Murray Mallee region. This is probably the closest Silo Art to home. Approximately 150km from home. These aren't great works of art (the photos that is), this is more documentary photography.
There was actually a road train unloading when we got there. This mural was painted in 2019 by internationally known street artist Heesco. It depicts local rural life in the Murray Mallee region, including a sheep named Diamond and a kelpie named Whiskey. These animals represent the region’s agricultural identity - sheep farming and working dogs. As well as grain, Karoonda is renowned for the quality breeding of Merino lambs.
The project was initially funded using drought-relief money. The idea was to create something that could lift community morale and stimulate the local economy during tough conditions. This silo is unique in that art is also projected onto it at night. The program changes monthly and has led to people coming to see this actually staying overnight in the town.
The last photo is of what is colloquially called a bunker. These are used in a lot of areas now to supplement the silo storage.
