The River Country Art Trail launched on Wednesday, April 22, officially marking the completion of five large-scale artworks in communities across the Murray River Shire.
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The launch celebrated public works created in Barham, Moulamein, Moama, Tooleybuc and Mathoura that have been created in collaboration with communities over the past 18 months.
Murray River Council Mayor John Harvie was joined by two fellow councillors, project partners and three of the artists for the official launch.
Cr Harvie said the project highlighted the power of creativity to reshape familiar spaces.
“What were once everyday pieces of infrastructure ... have been transformed into striking landmarks that tell the story of our river country,” he said.
“The project demonstrates how creativity can breathe new life into familiar places, turning them into destinations that inspire both locals and visitors alike.
“Together, these works form a unique outdoor gallery. One that, we hope, will encourage people to travel between our towns, explore our landscapes and connect with local stories.”
The project began in 2024, with a range of artists submitting designs that were then voted on by communities involved.
Four mural artists were selected from 88 applicants, while 47 proposals were submitted for the Tooleybuc sculpture, with one artist ultimately chosen.
At the project’s launch, artists reflected on the design process, their collaboration with local communities and what they hoped audiences would take from the works.
Moama’s mural, by Hiroyasu Tsuri (also known as Twoone), draws on the town’s connection to nature and cultural heritage.
In Mathoura, Spanish artist Antonio Segura (Dulk) blended elements of fantasy with the local environment to inspire children to dream and visitors to explore the town.
Barham’s mural, by Gus Eagleton, combines realism and storytelling to showcase the town’s history and its connection to the Murray River.
In Moulamein, Khosnaran Khurelbaatar (Heesco) worked closely with the community to create a three-part piece highlighting the surrounding environment, the region’s agricultural roots and the town’s heritage.
A 110-metre sculpture in Tooleybuc, delivered by artist Stuart Green, depicts a figure reaching out to gather fruit as a tribute to the community’s agricultural richness.
The trail was co-ordinated in collaboration with specialist art consultancy firm FORM.
FORM chief executive Tabitha McMullan, who attended the launch, said the trail stood out for its scale, vision and ambition.
“What drew us to the River Country Art Trail was the ambition of the project. This wasn’t just one artwork on one tower,” she said.
“(A) connected trail of artworks across five towns gives people a reason to stop and to stay and discover what makes each of the communities special.
“What these artists share beyond their immense talent, of course, is a genuine respect for the communities they work with, which is something that FORM absolutely shares and champions.”