It went up in just three weeks, but a new mural artwork in the Riverina village of Lockhart has caused a tower of interest.
The cascading waterfall and local birds portrayed has brought in interest on social media from around the world.
The work of two Blue Mountains mural artists, who profess a background in graffiti, has brought unbelievable attention for the old water tower art - and just for $28,000.
The idea of Lockhart Progress Association, the work was completed in just under three weeks.
Lockhart tourism and economic development officer Jennifer Connor said the council website had more than 100,000 hits with interest from many parts of the world. She had been amazed by the social media interest.
There had been interest from afar afield as the United Kingdom and the United States.
“Rising high above the town’s historic skyline, the recently completed Lockhart Water Tower mural, depicting a cascading waterfall surrounded by many of the unique native fauna and flora found in the local landscape, has rapidly become one of the most incredible pieces of public art in the Riverina,” she said.
“Undertaken by talented Blue Mountain artists, Scott Nagy and Janne Birkner (Krimsone), who are well known artists in the public mural sphere, the artwork reflects the importance of one of the regions most vital assets - water.
“The artists completed the work in just over two weeks using freehand spray cans, utilising natural hues to complement the Lockhart streetscape while harmonising with the natural environment.
“Covering a surface of more than 600m2 and costing $28,000 to complete, the Lockhart Water Tower Mural, first suggested to Lockhart Shire Council by local resident, Myra Jenkyn, was made possible through the support and generosity of a number of regional sponsors, particularly Riverina Water County Council, the owner of the water tower.”
Artist Scott Nagy says on his website: “I grew up in The Blue Mountains Australia developing my skills in aerosol as a youth with some of the most renowned local graffiti artists. I studied fine arts at Nepean Arts and Design Centre where I learnt traditional painting techniques, refining my knowledge in colour theory and perspective.
“The majority of the murals I paint are site specific, I enjoy the process of responding to briefs by clients and travelling to paint in public spaces where my work can become part of the community.”
The official launch of the tower artwork will be at 10am on Friday, 12 October. Thee launch will be followed at 11:30am by the opening of the Lockhart Shire Walk of Fame in Walter Day Park and light refreshments at Greens Gunyah Museum at noon.