Tribute to the Aussie Ute

Daily Telegraph
30/10/2008

AT HISTORIC Burrawang West Station on the Lachlan River in NSW's Central West, the Aussie ute has transformed into a work of art.

In the grounds of the homestead, a spectacular outdoor gallery features seven utes decorated by outback artists.
Condobolin locals are buzzing about the quirky project, Utes In The Paddock, and hope it will eventually attract a dozen colourful exhibits.

Lightning Ridge's outback artist John Murray painted the first in the series of utes to be displayed.
His Circle Work features a flock of galahs at play, encircling a 1971 Holden HQ series ute as it floats through the air towed by a sculptured galah. Joining Murray is Shane Gehlert, whose striking painting of Epitaph To Fossil Fuels is executed on a 1977 Holden HZ.

Peter Browne, of Silverton fame, was inspired by time spent with his mate Pro Hart for a 1976 HJ ute with vibrant outback tones, spontaneous splashes of colour across the bonnet and many of his famous emus.

The project is the brainchild of Graham Pickles, a Sydney businessman whose passion for the Outback led him to buy the cattle station, where guests are hosted in boutique lodges.

While travelling along Route 66 in the US, Pickles and his wife Jana were drawn to the Cadillac Ranch in Texas.
Alongside the road were 10 classic Cadillacs, buried to their windshields and decorated by graffiti artists.