Heesco, one of Australia’s leading silo artists has this week returned to the Twin Towns to complete the other side of the mural at the Murrumburrah silos.

The new silo artworks will depict Harden-Murrumburrah’s gold mining history and also two colonial “bushies” playing the traditional banjo.

The new silo artwork was facilitated with a $93,000 grant under the Stronger Country Communities Fund, which also included money for the upcoming Silo Art Fest.

Known by the artist name Heesco, Khosnaran Khurelbaatar is a Mongolian-Australian muralist, who is a Doug Moran National Portrait Prize finalist and a winner of the Footscray Art Prize. Heesco has also painted silos in Karoonda, Gunnedah, Grenfell and Weethalle.

On top of that, Heesco’s silo artwork in Karoonda, SA, was recognised as the “Best of the Best” and “Best Mega Mural” in the annual Australian Street Art Awards.

The front side of the Murrumburrah silos was completed by Heesco in February 2021 and portrays a depiction of the deep history and significance of the mills to the Murrumburrah-Harden community.

Being built in 1868 and decommissioned since 1991, the artwork is an effort by owner Greg Medway and the Harden-Murrumburrah Regional Development Corporation (HRDC) to repurpose the silos into a tourist attraction.

The silos were cleaned by the Harden RFS and the Demondrille Brigade and Cunnigar RFS, the first time they had been cleaned in 100 years, just in time for the new artwork being commenced. “Many thanks to both the Harden fire brigade and the volunteers of the RFS” said silos owner Greg Medway.

“Heesco’s on site this week, he arrived on Sunday.

Friends of Heesco are coming who are street artists. I should be a great day.”

The completion of the silo artworks will culminate with the Silo Art Fest on Sunday 9th October at the Mill Park in Murrumburrah.

Heesco was onsite at the silos in Murrumburrah on Monday when The Times popped down to have a chat while he was surveying his project.

“I’ve worked out a design along with the community, they wanted to depict an old school travelling musicians along with the Australian goldmining scenery and landscape,” Heesco said.

“The design will mostly be along the top part of the silos because you can’t see the bottom bit due to nearby buildings.

“I’ve started mapping out the project today. I’ve allocated about three weeks to finish it. If the weather stays alright, it’ll be on track. There will be some long eight-hour days. I do it all by hand. I will do the background and the earthy colours first before getting into the spray paints.”

Heesco uses solar shield exterior acrylic paints which quality holds up in the elements and avoids fading, meaning the artworks will have a long life. “I’m really happy to be back in town. It’s a little bit easier this time because I know what’s around,” Heesco continued.

“I’ve been in Australia for 20-odd years now, I’ve lived in Sydney and now live in Melbourne. Work takes me to a lot of different places. I was just in New York and some other parts of the U.S.

“I’ve organised a festival in Mongolia, while catching up with family and friends. “Unfortunately, I won’t be here in Harden for the Silo Art Fest as I’ll be at a fundraiser gala dinner in Sydney for my charity.”

Tim Warren