Short film about silo art takes flight

THE transformation of three grain silos into works of art by accomplished Surf Coast creative Geoffrey Carran has been captured in a short film premiering in Torquay tonight.

Carran teamed up with filmmaker Bryan Hynes to create the documentary about the process of painting the GrainCorp Silos in Goroke as part of the Australian Silo Art Trail.

The silos – which now blend beautifully with the Western Wimmera landscape – feature stunning paintings of native Australian birds which are significant to the town including a kookaburra, galah, and magpie (Goroke means magpie in the local Wotjobaluk language).

Carran, an experienced mural artist who loves painting Australian birdlife and plants, took seven weeks to complete the project which started in late September last year after being delayed due to COVID.

He worked closely with the local community, West Wimmera Shire Council and GrainCorp to develop the project which was funded through the state government’s Pick My Project initiative.

His murals are generally off the beaten track in remote rural locations such as Edenhope, Balmoral, Niddrie and Naracoorte, with the intention of bringing art and cultural engagement to communities.

The Goroke project was the contemporary artist’s largest to date, with both the magpie and kookaburra being more than 10 metres high.

Carran, who lives in Jan Juc with his wife and fellow artist, Rowena Martinich, has been a full-time professional artist since 2011 and has exhibited in Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, England and the United States.

Tonight’s film premiere is being held at Bells Beach Brewing from 7pm, with the screening to be followed by a Q&A with both the artist and filmmaker.

Entry is free but numbers are limited. RSVP to [email protected] for a spot on the guest list.