Wow, what a full on project to embark with for my first ever silo ( 4 silos) painting.

Over 17 days, two artists ( myself and Conrad Bizjak) transformed four towering silos into bold works of contemporary art—each one featuring a striking native bird to the Rutherglen area: the Pink Robin, Yellow Tufted Honeyeater, Red-capped Robin, and Eastern Spinebill. These birds are adorned with artworks in the belly areas that reflects the regions agricultural elements such as vineyards and other crops. Each bird represents a season as each bird is found in the region in this season. The sun follows this season in each silo.

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Project name and description.

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Birds of Seasons

This mural series, titled Birds of Seasons, celebrates the local fauna

that subtly guides the rhythm of life in the region. These small,

beautiful birds have historically played a vital role in signalling the

changing seasons to First Nations peoples and farmers alike. Each silo in

the series represents a specific season, with a bird chosen for its

distinct colour palette, reflecting the essence of that time of year.

Within the forms of these birds, intricate details reveal seasonal crops,

golden vein and specific markings inspired by historic gold maps, and

unique land patterns informed by stories from the local community.

The combination of these elements intertwines past and present,

nature and culture. To enhance their visual impact against the industrial

backdrop of grey silos, the birds are depicted with vibrant, highly

saturated colours. Modern geometric patterns within the birds provide

strong contrast with soft rounded outlines, creating dynamic

compositions that are both contemporary and approachable. Having

the sun move across the four silos, gives the art a sense of place in each

season. Surrounding each bird are native flowers that bloom in their

respective seasons may hold cultural significance having been

traditionally used by First Nations people for food, medicine, daily

equipment or ornamental. This mural series invites viewers to

appreciate the intricate connections between wildlife, the land, and the

seasonal cycles that define the region.

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TANK ONE -

Season – Spring

Bird – Pink Robin

Flower – Flannel Flower

The Pink Robin, with its striking pink belly, heralds the shift

from winter’s chill to the gentle warmth of spring. This bird

was chosen for its vibrant presence, a symbol of renewal

as the season awakens. A subtle design element within the

robin’s belly echoes the golden wheat harvest, a key

marker of spring’s abundance. The delicate linework

surrounding the bird represents the essence of the season

—fluid, ever- changing, yet deeply rooted in nature’s

rhythms. Beneath the robin, golden lines trace the earth

like the veins of gold found in old rush-era maps, a nod to

the region’s history and the richness hidden beneath the

land. Above, the sun lingers lower in the sky, casting a soft,

warm light over the composition. The Flannel Flower,

chosen for its seasonal bloom, carries both rarity and

resilience. A protected species, it whispers of fragility yet

holds within it the strength of medicinal properties—an

emblem of nature’s quiet power and the healing energy of

spring.

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TANK TWO-

Season – Summer

Bird – Yellow-tufted Honeyeater

Flower – Red River Gum

The Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, with its radiant golden

hues, embodies the essence of summer—vibrant, warm,

and full of life. Found in this region during the height of the

season, it symbolizes the pulse of summer’s energy. Within

the bird’s belly, a subtle design element pays homage to

one of Rutherglen's celebrated harvests— grapes. The

delicate linework reflects the rhythm of the land, the

movement of the windrows, and the deep connection

between nature and agriculture. The golden Muscat grape,

rich in both history and flavour, takes centre stage, while a

hidden wine glass invites the viewer to pause, discover,

and reflect. Scattered orange dots trace the composition,

reminiscent of the tertiary landforms found in historic gold

rush maps, a quiet tribute to the region’s layered past.

Above, the sun sits high, pouring its golden light across the

landscape. The Red River Gum, with its striking summer

bloom, stands as a sentinel of the season. A tree of deep

significance, it is woven into the story of the land, its

people, and the enduring knowledge of the local

Indigenous communities

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TANK THREE -

Season – Autumn

Bird – Red-capped Robin

Flower – Billy Buttons

The Red-capped Robin, with its rich reds and warm orange

hues, captures the essence of autumn’s changing

landscape. This small yet striking bird begins to appear in

gardens as the season turns, a quiet herald of crisp

mornings and golden afternoons. Within the bird’s belly,

delicate linework echoes the rhythm of autumn—falling

leaves drifting on the wind, soft rains nourishing the earth,

and the gentle seeding of the windrows. These elements

intertwine, reflecting the transition of the land as it

prepares for the cooler months ahead. Beneath the robin,

golden veins trace the ground like the markings on old gold

rush maps, a nod to the deep history embedded in the

region’s soil. Above, the sun hangs lower in the sky, casting

a softer light across the landscape. The Billy Buttons, with

their bright, globe-like blooms, serve as a lingering memory

of summer’s warmth. Their presence in this composition is

a quiet reminder of the cycle of seasons—of what has

passed and what is yet to come.

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Tank Four -

Season – Winter

Bird – Eastern Spinebill Honeyeater

Flower – Common Heath

The Eastern Spinebill Honeyeater, with its warm, earthy

browns, mirrors the quiet beauty of winter—the fallen

leaves, the rich soil turned and ready for planting. This bird

moves through the landscape with delicate precision, a

reminder that even in the coldest months, life persists.

Within the bird’s belly, intricate linework captures the

essence of winter’s transition—leaves drifting from bare

branches, a homestead glowing with the warmth of an

indoor fire, and the steady presence of rain and wind

shaping the land. These elements reflect a season of

stillness and preparation, as the earth readies itself for

renewal. Golden veins and scattered orange dots map the

land’s history, echoing the markings of old gold rush maps

—a thread connecting past and present. Above, the sun sits

at its lowest point in the sky, casting long, soft shadows

over the winter landscape. The Common Heath, with its

delicate pink blooms, stands resilient in the cold, bringing a

quiet vibrancy to the season. The Common Heath is

Victorias floral emblem.

This series invites a fresh perspective on silo art—not just as large-scale realism, but as a canvas for expressive, conceptual storytelling. Rooted in the colours, textures, and rhythms of the Rutherglen landscape, these murals offer a new way of seeing both the silos and the skies above them.