The "Paddock Ute" to boost tourism
by Karen Tooth Condobolin Argus
The first of 12 uniquely painted and eye catching utes has been completed at Burrawang West station.
Famous Lightning Ridge artist, John Murray, has painted the first Holden ute promoting outback art and tourism.
Burrawang West Station owner, Graham Pickles, is behind the push to promote Australian outback art and his vision is to display 12 utes painted and interpreted by 12 famous Australian outback artists.
He hopes a Wiradjuri artist will be involved to link the project back to the community.
Graham said, “It’ll become a destination for tourists and the local community will benefit”
Graham’s idea sprung from his recent USA road trip with his wife, Jana.
“We were driving along Route 66 when we came across the Cadillac Ranch. This guy had ten 1959 Cadillacs stuck [vertically] in the ground and all lined up with graffiti on them,” he said.
The couple liked the Cadillac Ranch but thought they could do it better and enlisted John Murray as the first artist. John is well known for his fun paintings and photo realist style. He exhibits extensively throughout Australia and has his own gallery in Lightning Ridge.
“This project excites me,” John said. “It’ll be good for tourism.”
John said Condobolin and the neighbouring towns would benefit from tourists eager to see the permanent exhibition.
Visitors will be able to turn off the Condobolin - Parkes road near the Ootha silo down the Mulguthrie turnoff and see from the roadside, the uniquely decorated utes mounted in different positions.
“Mine is lifted off the ground with a resin galah suspended above it – playing on that great Aussie bush bashing term - ‘circle work’,” John said.
He painted his ute a brilliant sky blue with egg white clouds. Colours so similar to nature that the ute blends into the landscape with “a nice flurry of galah pink hovering over it,” John said.
Well known Condobolin mechanic, Michael (Mick) Taylor has been travelling the country side searching for the old iconic Holden utes for the artists to paint. He became very enthused about the project when he discovered that John Murray was going to paint his precious ‘HQ’ as he already is a fan of John’s art and had previously purchased some of his works.
John, too is feeling excited about the project “Mike is a legend – I feel super pressured as Mike’s ute has such a personal history,” John said.
The artists are donating their time but more vehicles are needed. If you have a Holden ute that’s dusty and hidden away – get it out and be part of this latest tourist attraction.
“Come out west and have some fun,” Graham said. “It’ll be an unique attraction!”
If readers have an older style Holden ute body in good order, please call Graham Pickles on 0418 112888 or Mick Taylor on 6895 2284 business or 6895 2375 home.
John Murray’s art can be seen at www.johnmurrayart.com.au, at his art gallery, 8 Opal St, Lightning Ridge, NSW 2834 or now in the paddock at Burrawang West.
