THE Australian silo art movement - which has found legs in the Central West - is about more than creating larger than life masterpieces that brighten up local landscapes.
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For many towns in the bush it's been a lifeline.
The beautiful installations have brought waves of tourism to regional towns since the movement began in Northam in Western Australia in 2015.
Regional towns are also embracing water tower and street art as a way to rebuild local economies and attract visitors from all walks of life who are keen to road trip Australia's biggest outdoor gallery.
A Tamworth-based travel agent, Chris Watson, has also launched a NSW Silo Art tour via coach with the hope stopping in these towns will bring an economic boost to the region.
"We're hoping when we get out to some of these towns we can put in larger contributions as well that help the town, local businesses, moteliers right through to the fuel stations," he said.
"We're hoping to see a good amount of income from those tours not just to support our business but to support the whole region.
"Our region thrives, everyone thrives."
Australia's national silo art promoter, the Australian Silo Art Trail, currently has 49 silos documented, and more than 100 water tower art destinations.
The murals are dotted across western NSW and include artworks featuring iconic themes, such as the late poet Dorothea Mackellar at the Gunnedah Maize Mill Mural, to the 40 metre high water diviner in Barraba.
Dunedoo Silo
The first two sides of the Dunedoo silo were painted by Dorrigo artist Peter Mortimore in 2020.
The artwork honours the town's favourite son, jockey Hugh Bowman and his achievements aboard champion mare Winx.
Side two of the silo displays the local fauna and flora.
Side three of the silo was completed in June 2021, by Brisbane street artist Daniel Krause and depicts a child, based Mr Krause's own son, reading a book in a wheat field.
Bourke water tower
Artwork upon the Bourke water tower honouring the town's history-making Commonwealth gold medallist Percy Hobson was completed in April 2021.
Lightning Ridge artist John Murray recreated the iconic photo of Hobson bounding into the air as he earned his first gold medal.
He was assisted by Bob Barrett and Lucas Kasper on the project, which was in the making for almost three years.
Walgett water tower
A mural on the side of the Walgett water tower, completed in November 2020, pays homage to the late Aboriginal musician Jimmy Little.
Mr Little was from the Yorta Yorta nation and for a time lived in Walgett. He was the first Indigenous Australian to receive mainstream music success.
The large-scale portrait by Jenny McCracken is based on a photograph of Mr Little by John Elliot. It also features the river system and local totems, painted by local Gamileroi artist Frank Wright.
Coonamble water tower
The 25-metre high Coonamble Water Tower was painted by John Murray, Bob Barrett and local Coonamble resident and Aboriginal painter Sooty Welsh.
It was completed in June 2017 and took 11 days to complete.
It was commissioned by the Coonamble Shire Council and features Australia Pink and Grey Galahs, fence posts to signify the rural aspect of Coonamble, plus the sun, moon and the southern cross.
Aboriginal Dreamtime artwork is also a feature on the water tank.
Gulargambone street art
In April 2018, as part of the 'Pave the Way to Gular' festival, ten renowned artists from around Australia visited Gulargambone to create the wildest of make overs to a town.
Twelve buildings, one water tower and two footpaths were chosen for the wonderful murals including 3D interactive artworks.
Visiting artists were Peter and Lisa Browne, John Murray, James Giddy, Claire Foxton, Rudy Kisler, Goddie, D'Nart, Kaff-eine, Jenny McCracken and Sam Brooks.
The Gulargambone water tower was transformed into a work of art by artist Jenny McCracke.
The artwork is painted on just one side and is titled 'Lucky Dip'. It depicts a Kingfisher bird diving through the surface towards to the bottom of a pond, where below lies a tasty treat of assorted fish.
Merriwa silos
The Merriwa silos came to life in 2019 with a huge mural depicting a flock of sheep in red socks.
The project, completed by Melbourne based artist David Lee Pereira, pays homage to the town's beloved annual Festival of the Fleeces.
The festival generates much needed funds for the local Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Merriwa and District Volunteer Rescue Squads.
The Merriwa silos were the 29th silos to be included in the Australian Silo Art Trail Collection.
Molong water tower
Artwork on the Molong Water Tank began late May 2021 by artists Michael Crook and Ricky Ah-See.
The water tower features several images and tells the story of Sir Thomas Mitchell, his Indigenous assistant Yuranigh and the Mitchell Highway.
A bright welcome, highlighted by blue skies, flowering yellow wattle and colourful birds, awaits visitors to Molong.
The old railway water tank is at Molong's entrance from Orange, where Watson Street meets the Mitchell Highway.
Major Sir Thomas Mitchell traversed this area and mapped out roads and towns for the new settlers. During his fourth expedition he was guided by Yuranigh a local Wiradjuri man.
Grenfell silos
The 1926 Grain Silos at Grenfell are owned by Grenfell Commodities and it was the initiative of the founder, Peter Mawhinney, to commission the silos to be painted.
The motivation behind the project was to create a legacy for the town in acknowledgement for the years of loyalty received from the local community from which Grenfell Commodities had prospered.
The silos were painted by street artist Heesco Khosnaran and tells a pictorial history of the Weddin Shire, depicting a bucolic scene with cattle in a lush, green field and galahs flying overhead.
This detailed mural took Heesco five weeks to complete, completing the artwork in March 2019. The artwork used 180 litres of paint and 800 spray cans.
Barraba silos
The Barraba silos came to life in April 2019, paying homage to one of the worst droughts Australia has faced.
Artist Fintan Magee visited the community in early 2019 to inspect the site and meet with the community. He discovered large areas of NSW, including Barraba, were facing severe water shortages, with supply limited to critical water needs.
Magee's mural depicts a local water diviner searching for groundwater, using a y-shaped twig or rod or two L-shaped ones. Diviners study the landscape of a farm and walk over areas where they suspect the water may be located.
Work began on the silos on March 25, 2019 and was completed just 24 days later.
The Barraba silos are privately owned and are located at the southern entrance to town on Manilla Road.
Weethalle silos
The Weethalle silos were painted by renowned Melbourne based artist Heesco Khosnaran, and is a tribute to the rich agricultural heritage of the small community of Weethalle and the surrounding Bland Shire Communities.
They portray a shearer, a grain farmer and a small flock of sheep perched high on a balcony keeping a watchful eye over the land.
The artwork was completed in June 2017.