Utes in the Paddock - The Story So Far...

In the heart of Lachlan River country at the geographic centre of New South Wales, a dynamic celebration of Australia’s outback culture is building momentum.  Residents around the central west town of Condobolin are buzzing about a quirky project taking form on a nearby station.  Iconic model Holden utes are taking on new life as part of an ambitious artists’ tribute to life in the outback.  “Utes in the Paddock” is the brainchild of Graham Pickles, an international business leader from Sydney, whose passion for the outback led him to purchase the historic cattle station, Burrawang West near Ootha in 2000.

While travelling Route 66 on a recent trip across the United States, Graham and his wife, Jana were drawn to an unusually popular attraction aptly named, Cadillac Ranch, located in the west Texas panhandle near Amarillo.   Along side Route 66, ten classic Cadillacs, buried to their windshields, provide a public spray paint graffiti canvas for anyone inspired to leave his mark.  Intrigued by the ranch’s popularity, and with hundreds of highway miles remaining on the Pickles’ journey to Los Angeles, the Utes in the Paddock concept grew from a whimsical ‘what if’ seed to a plan with roots in outback Australia. When Graham returned to Burrawang West Station located near Condobolin, he called into see Mike Taylor of Mike Taylor Autos in Condobolin, who was immediately on board and the Utes team began working on the project in August 2007.

“Three of the planned twelve utes are on display now” says Graham “and we hope to have the final ute in place by the end of this year.”  Lightning Ridge’s famous outback artist, John Murray, has demonstrated his keen enthusiasm for the project by painting the first in a series of utes to be displayed.  Murray’s ‘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 flying sculptured galah.  “My ute is called "Circle Work". "Circle Work" is the practice of madly driving a ute flat out in circles, better performed if "bundie'd up" at a B& S. I have used the galah as a reference to the larrikin lads and ladettes driving such utes. I painted the ute sky blue and had the galahs flying in a circular motion around the ute. The galah towing the ute away represent the "fun police".” 

Joining Murray in the project, Shane Gehlert completed his striking painting of “Epitaph to Fossil Fuels” on a 1977 Holden HZ, which took its place in the paddock in late June.  Featuring Gehlert ’s signature robo-roo amid stunning outback hues of red, orange and blue, the ute reaches upward into the sky, perched on its tailgate and creates an undeniably imposing impact on its audience.  “The roo watches you as you move from one side of the artwork to the other –I don’t know how he’s done it, but Shane has an incredible talent.”

Peter Browne, of Silverton fame, was inspired by time spent with his good mate Pro Hart for his painting of a 1976 HJ ute using vibrant outback colours, spontaneous splashes of colour across the bonnet and many of his famous Emus to complete the most recent artwork of the collection.

Artists Max and Gloria Reid, on behalf of the local Wiradjiri corporation, are currently working on their artistic creation and accomplished artist Peter Mortimore, now living in Dubbo, is returning to Condobolin to make his contribution in August.

Utes for the project are now being donated by residents from the area who have caught the Utes in the Paddock bug after learning that many of Australia’s most gifted outback artists are donating their time and talent to create this unique tribute to life in the bush and outback.  It gives people from all over Australia and overseas another reason to visit central west NSW.  “We want to draw people to this area so they can experience first hand the beauty, adventure and wonder of outback Australia.  It’s a surprise for most visitors to discover how vibrant, progressive, resourceful and welcoming the outback Australians are, and how invigorating it can be to get out and explore the heartland.  Everything you could possibly want is available in the surrounding communities to make a visit to the area a ‘must do’.”  Graham Pickles says “while the project certainly adds texture and another layer of interest to a visit to Burrawang West Station, the project is really about promoting the bush. Utes in the Paddock is an invitation for people living on the coast to cross the sandstone curtain and come to visit central NSW.  The bush and the people that live here are at the very heart of the Australian psyche and over the last two centuries were largely responsible for forging those values we as Australians take pride in such as mateship, having a go, resilient, tough yet compassionate, fun loving, and hard working.”