'Outback Ute Reef' is anchored to Burrawang West

by Karen Tooth Condobolin Argus

Sydney based artist and sculptor, Stephen Coburn found out about the 'Utes in the Paddock' from his good friend, artist John Murray, who painted the first in the series of now ten utes on display at Burrawang West Resort 25 kilometres east of Condobolin.

After being approached by Graham Pickles (Owner of Burrawang West Resort and home to the 'Utes in the Paddock') Stephen 'googled' the site and immediately said "I'll be in it. I liked the idea of working with a vehicle - and the idea of returning the car to nature."

Called 'Outback ute reef', Stephen has created a 'sculptural' ute with the idea of returning vehicle back to nature from whence it came.

"You know how they scuttle ships to form an artificial reef - a home for sea creatures. This ute is the outback or land version of that process," said Stephen who is dismayed by our obsession with cars.

"The freeway traffic in Sydney between 6 am and 9am resembles a parking lot - it moves so slowly. And each car has only one person in it. Surely there is a better use of energy. People seem to work 5 days a week to pay off the vehicle that gets them to work - this is a crazy waste of resources."

Robert Dujin, a teacher at the Julian Ashton Art School is assisting Stephen with the 'Outback Ute Reef.

'Outback Ute Reef will be raised above the ground, suspended from three large grass trees that puncture it and will be surrounded by Australian characters from nature - cicadas, crows, emus kangaroos, bilbies, bandicoots, snakes and spiders - and in deference to one of Graham's passions - a Dorper sheep. The finishing colour is a rusted 'dirt' effect to make the ute look deteriorated and well on its way back to nature.

In Stephen's art school' days he was a member of the famous rock band "Mental as Anything' Asked if he made the right choice in pursuing art instead of music - Stephen said: "At first I believed I'd made a mistake but with the thought of staying in cheap motels, travelling in a rented Tarago and the late nights, the idea lost its appeal. I realized that I function much better as a day person.

Wishing to stay longer at Burrawang, Stephen has come to the conclusion that Graham really needs to have a whole paddock of utes. Stephen and Rob highly recommend the experience for other artists: "There is nothing better than working here and then going back to the homestead and falling into the pool - it's the best end of a day's work you can get," said Rob.

"It is great to stay in such enjoyable circumstances - beautiful food and surroundings. Burrawang West Resort is described as 'the outback of dreams' - really it is beyond your dreams!" Stephen added.