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Iconic Wagga portraits unveiled  

 

Mural project participants Alice Markham, Raegan Jones, Jesse Levett, Jordan Worsencraft and

Thom Paton with Mayor Kerry Pascoe at the launch of the Museum of the Riverina's Mural Project

Famous Wagga Wagga identities have been immortalised Bald-Archy style, with the unveiling on 28 February 2008 of eight giant caricatures in the city’s Civic Precinct.

The Museum of the Riverina mural project saw eight young Wagga artists work with Bald Archy winning and Melbourne based community artist Tony Sowersby, to create eight larger than life portraits.

They ranged from Year 7 art students through to a respected local aerosol artist. The result was the paintings depicting iconic Wagga Wagga identities, and inspired by The Bald Archys, which has been on exhibition at the Museum’s Historic Council Chambers site since Australia Day.

Wagga Wagga Mayor Kerry Pascoe said each identity has links to the city’s heritage and the Museum of the Riverina.

“This selection is representative of the enormous talent and contribution Wagga Wagga residents have made through bravery, infamy, entertainment, cultural and sporting landscapes in Australia and worldwide,” Cr Pascoe said.

“All were developed using historical research and the Bald Archy style of irreverent humour and imagination to create a celebration of this city’s great people and stories.”

Cr Pascoe said there were many other benefits to the project, including development of skills among young people, and an appreciation and understanding of Wagga’s heritage.

“This innovative project echoes Melbourne City’s award-winning laneways project, with art spaces that take people by surprise. Its’ quirky nature will certainly add to the city’s growing reputation as a cultural centre, and will serve as a unique tourist attraction.

“It is a worthwhile community project, helping make the under-bridge walkway between Victory Memorial Gardens and Wollundry Amphitheatre and lagoon precinct, far more welcoming for the community.

Cr Pascoe said the project addresses Wagga Wagga City Council’s Anti Graffiti Policy, Crime Prevention Strategy (including increased natural surveillance in the civic area) and also deliver some important recommendations out of Council’s Social and Cultural Plans, and the city’s Tourism and Marketing Plan.

Better lighting and visibility are steps in place to improve security in the area, whilst special anti-grafitti coating and an easy cleaning system has been put in place to protect the artworks.

BACKGROUND

Contributing artists

•    Tony Sowersby – Bald Archy finalist and 2005 winner. Experienced Melbourne based community muralist and artist
•    Jordan Worsencraft
•    Brad Rogers
•    Jesse Levett
•    Reed Cahalan
•    Raegan Jones
•    Alice Markham
•    Thom Paton
•    Petah Field

Subjects

1.    Mark Taylor and Michael Slater – one of Australia’s greatest ever opening batting partnerships, and both Wagga boys. Mark Taylor is also a former Australian cricket captain.

2.    Dame Edna Everage – the fact that Dame Edna was born in Wagga Wagga and moved to Moonee Ponds as a young girl, is one of the city’s best kept secrets, although little is known about it or which school she attended. She is also the Patron of the Bald Archy Prize!

3.    Henry Baylis – Wagga Wagga’s first police magistrate and namesake of Baylis Street. He famously survived a bullet from notorious bushranger Daniel ‘Mad Dog’ Morgan’s gun during a shoot out on horse back in 1863. Morgan’s accomplice Clarke was fatally wounded. The original bullet and the medal Baylis won for bravery, are now part of the Museum of the Riverina collection.

4.    Wagga Wagga’s Olympic hopefuls – Brad Kahlefeldt (triathlon) and Melanie Twitt (hockey) on the road to Beijing. At the time of painting, these two Wagga athletes were preparing their campaign to win gold at the Beijing Olympics.

5.    Bill Kerr – “The Boy From Wagga Wagga” - is an icon of Australian and British film, theatre, television and radio, and his longevity in the performing arts is astounding. Film credits include Gallipoli, The Year of Living Dangerously and Razorback, also appearing in the television mini series Changi.

6.    Dame Mary Gilmore, the famous Australian poet, writer and educator grew up in Wagga Wagga, and was a student at Brucedale, North Wagga Wagga, and Wagga Wagga Public School. Dame Mary appears on Australia’s $10 note.

7.    Paul Kelly – much loved and respected AFL footballer and Sydney Swans captain, a Brownlow Medallist who made AFL’s team of the 20th century.

8.    Tom Castro – the famous Wagga Wagga butcher who claimed to be the missing heir to the Tichborne fortune in England – Sir Roger Tichborne. The subsequent trial in England put Wagga Wagga on the world map in the 1870s. Tom Castro’s butcher’s shop was located nearby on Gurwood Street.

For further information contact Melinda Geltch on 02 6926 9654 or geltch.melinda@wagga.nsw.gov.au