SILO ART WIN
Developer bankrolls giant face murals for Fyansford cement site
A GEELONG eyesore will be transformed into a sky-high artwork honouring a trio of the city’s unsung heroes.
Developers have unveiled plans to paint murals on the three unused Fyansford cement silos — hiring Geelong’s own internationally renowned artist Rone to do the honours.
Work is set to start immediately and expected to be completed by Christmas.
A GEELONG eyesore will soon be transformed into a sky-high artwork honouring a trio of the city’s unsung heroes.
Developers have unveiled plans to paint murals on the three unused Fyansford cement silos — hiring Geelong’s own internationally renowned artist Rone to do the honours.
ICD Property deputy managing director Matthew Khoo said work would start immediately, and expected the murals to be completed by Christmas.
“We have been planning this project for six months now, and are delighted that the site’s owner, ADBRI, have agreed to support the idea,” Mr Khoo said.
“Rone’s artistry will make the silos more visually appealing and, we hope, create an iconic landmark that helps position Geelong as a clever and creative city-region.
“The project team, including the artist, have deliberately selected local people who represent different perspectives. Such perspectives contribute to the uniqueness of Geelong and its people.”
The local figures who will be immortalised on the silos include direct descendant of the queen of the Wadawurrung, Corrina Eccles, 78-year-old widower Cor Horsten, who worked at the Cement Works site for more than 35 years, and Paralympic dual gold-medallist Kelly Cartwright OAM.
Tyrone ‘Rone’ Wright, a former Curlewis resident and East Geelong Tech student, said he chose the figures to represent the many different faces of Geelong.
“I’m delighted to be painting the large-scale portraits of three local, relatable individuals who each represent different chapters of the broader Geelong story,” he said.
“Corrina helps pay homage to our First Peoples, and Cor to our industrial history. Kelly demonstrates the hard work and resilience required to overcome disability to reach her potential — particularly relevant as Geelong shores up its positioning as a centre of disability service excellence.”
Earlier this year the Curlewisborn street artist painted a 30m high silo in Lascelles in the Mallee, featuring fourth- generation farmers Geoff and Merrilyn Horman.
The silo was the fifth of six being painted on a 200km outdoor art trail.
Rone returns to Geelong after establishing himself as one of the world’s top talents, following a series of high-profile installations in cities such as London and New York, and also having work acquisitioned by the National Gallery of Australia and commissioned by the National Gallery of Victoria.
A viewing platform, accessible from the Hyland St pedestrian footpath, will be open in daylight hours from Monday.
The project sponsors behind the murals include interests associated with Bangkok-based real estate developer Supalai Public Company Limited, Melbourne-based property developer ICD Property, and private site owner Adelaide Brighton Cement.
The announcement comes days after a Geelong trucker publicly called for the Mercer St silos to be splashed with sky-high murals similar to those being painted across Victoria’s wheat belt.