More artworks for rail trail through Pialba

Artists Matt Thompson and Cam Scale have spent the past week painting a mural on the side of the Repco building next to the Mary to Bay Rail Trail as it cuts through Pialba.

“Hervey Bay and whales go together so well,” Councillor David Lewis said.

“The mural will help brighten up that wall and add to the existing trail of artworks (murals and sculptures) along the trail between Boat Harbour Drive and Old Maryborough Road.”

The finished mural will be coated with an anti-graffiti coating to deter vandals from tagging it.

“Murals and street art help create an atmosphere and encourage people to get out of their cars to have a look and explore an area,” Cr Lewis said.

“They can also deter vandals and graffiti artists.”

The two artists have painted murals on grain silos and multistorey buildings.

“We wanted to celebrate the local wildlife and chose the humpback whale which is synonymous with the region,” artist Matt Thompson said.

“They were hunted to near extinction, so it is a timely reminder of the role we play as caretakers of our environment and the fragility of life.

“The wall presented a unique opportunity to suitably capture their immense presence and energy.

“Humpbacks are known for their playful antics and this mural captures whales in all their glory, moving both above and below the surface; breaching the surface and diving below.”

The finished piece uses a blend of street art/graffiti and fine art techniques to create a landmark piece that will inspire the imagination of people using the trail.