Leongatha Railway Precinct Mural
Ash Taylor x Arts Eleven x South Gippsland Shire Council
Client: South Gippsland Shire Council
Project: Leongatha Railway Precinct Mural Project, 2023
Lead Artist: Ash Taylor
Project Management and Curation: Arts Eleven
Photography: Karli Michelle Commercial and Ash Taylor
The Leongatha railway yards had been falling into disrepair since the railway line closed in 1993.
Now, thirty years later, the Leongatha Railway Precinct is undergoing a major redevelopment to better serve the Leongatha community and visitors to the region. It is anticipated that the precinct will become a destination for people using the rail trail and for community groups to hold events such as markets.
Overlooking the location is a large building on stilts: fronting onto Bair Street as retail shopfronts, the rear of the building extends over the railway site. The Railway Precinct Mural Project sought to transform this rear facade from a plain grey surface to one that engages the community and activates the refurbished site.
Arts Eleven approached South Gippsland Shire Council in 2021 with the idea to activate the site with a mural. The first of this scale in the Leongatha township, this mural would allow for a major contemporary showcase of an artwork that responded to and enriched the Leongatha urban/rural landscape.
After the initial artist EOI process, facilitated by Arts Eleven and South Gippsland Shire Council, three artists were invited to develop their concepts. From this trio, Ash Taylor was selected via public vote to develop and create a large scale artwork that they will paint directly onto the wall’s surface.
Ash was directed to respond to the theme of ‘Leongatha and its Landscape,’ and was encouraged to respond to the natural world surrounding the site.
A focus on the region’s vast and beautiful natural bushland, native plants, trees, birdlife and fauna was encouraged. It was expected that the mural was to be a contemporary take on these elements rather than recreating the type of historical murals previously seen across the region.
Objectives:
To add an artistic element to the new public space in Leongatha
To create a genuine drawcard for the town, encouraging visitation to Leongatha and its surrounds.
To support the promotion of arts in the region.
Image Credit: Karli Michelle Commercial
Image Credit: Karli Michelle Commercial
Image Credit: Karli Michelle Commercial
Image Credit: Karli Michelle Commercial
Ash Taylor Artist Statement:
As the selected artist (by public vote). My aims are to deliver a vibrant, engaging and contemporary mural that raises awareness about species in the South Gippsland Shire. Instead of a depiction of local landscapes, the artwork aims to raise awareness of the efforts contributed by and the success of projects in the region that have impacted the natural environment.
Highlight endangered species and bring awareness to success of local rehabilitation projects.
Consider Contemporary Design Principles and engaging colour palettes to create a vibrant artwork
Often challenging an “out of sight, out of mind” principle, my work brings the natural environment to urbanised spaces in an attempt to raise awareness of environmental concerns and to keep them at the front of the viewer’s mind through visibility.
Responding to the curatorial theme of Leongatha and its Landscape, the design presents a number of significant species, delivering them in an engaging, visual representation. The intent is to be eye-catching for viewers from a distance—to build a curiosity in what is being shown but without losing too much detail or visual interest for those viewing more closely from the ground.
After a little some research into regional specific species, I was able to collect a number of photographic references myself to use for the artwork. I also spoke with staff from Parks Victoria about their current projects and conservation efforts being conducted in the area. I learnt about a number of projects including the introduction of Eastern Bristlebirds to Wilson’s Promontory National Park to aid in national population numbers that have significantly dwindled in the recent years. This is an important project that has shown a lot of success and can show promise for the conservation of other species. The other fauna pictured are the Orange Bellied Parrots, critically endangered and Sugar Gliders.
Featured:
- Bulbine Lily - Bulbine Bulbosa
- Running Postman - Kennedia prostrata
- Orange-bellied Parrots - Neophema chrysogaster
- Shrubby Glasswort - Tecticornia arbuscula
- Golden Wattle - Acacia pycnantha
- Large-leaf Bush-pea - Pultenaea daphnoides
- Eastern Bristlebird - Dasyornis brachypterus
- Purple Coral Pea - Hardenbergia violacea
- Sugar Glider - Petaurus breviceps
- Gippsland Mallee - Eucalyptus kitsoniana
Image credit: Karli Michelle Commercial
Image Credit: Ash Taylor
Image Credit: Ash Taylor
Image Credit: Ash Taylor
Footage captured by Karli Michelle Photography