Community
8 August, 2024
Piece by piece
A COLLABORATIVE mural at the Mortlake Roadhouse is beginning to take shape thanks to the efforts of one of the region’s most prominent artists.
Acclaimed Warrnambool artist Jimmi Buscombe has continued adding to the mural which he began earlier this year.
It is expected the mural will unfold over the next year or two, as he and Mortlake Roadhouse owner Dion Symons work together to plan a vision for what the mural will entail and what narrative it will follow.
As Western District Newspapers reported when Mr Buscombe began painting the mural in May, the plans for what will one day be depicted are being kept tightly under wraps to give the community some fun in wondering what will one day be.
“It started with the bag at first, then a crow opening the bag,” Mr Buscombe said.
“Then we added a hole with a ladder and a bucket.
“It’s evolving, and we have an idea of where it’s heading, but it’s sort of unveiling itself.
“It wasn’t until 24 hours before I painted them that there were mice involved in the mural – that was a spur of the moment decision my wife and I had brainstormed.”
Last week Mr Buscombe added mice traversing a rope on a pulley system which is excavating dirt from a painted hole.
Laying beside the hole is a front-page edition of The Mortlake Dispatch in a mock replica of the May publication – however, like with the rest of the whimsical mural, there’s a twist.
“The newspaper was an idea I’d had since (The Mortlake Dispatch) published a story, which is something I felt would make this really local,” Mr Buscombe said.
“The idea was to include the local paper on the local establishment, and mix in a bit of humour.
“I felt like a pseudo-Mortlake Dispatch article mentioning police getting involved added to the story of where we know we want to get to.
“But just what it means is yet to be revealed; I like the idea of some things being mysterious.”
The mural has quickly attracted visitors and curious onlookers, with the joy people derive from seeing the creation on display being what Mr Buscombe said he loved most about public art.
“It’s out there for anyone to come across, you don’t have to go to a gallery or an art show - you can just be walking the streets and come across public art,” he said.
“To have this one, because Mortlake is quite a small community, evolving over time creates a long-lasting point of interest.
“It encourages revisits, especially with young kids who love getting a bit of a surprise.
“Public art becomes owned by the public, something they can take on their own to be proud of.”
While Mr Buscombe said he was pleased to see the positive responses, he felt all praise rested with Mortlake Roadhouse owner Dion Symons.
“This is all it takes sometimes for a community to have public art – a business or a person who is willing to commission it,” he said.
“It’s not always a council project, so a big shout out to Dion for having the impetus to do this.
“I was talking to my wife about how he’s the easiest client ever – I throw him ideas, and he’s happy with all of it.
“It means I’m able to do really goofy things - this is a food establishment and I’ve painted mice on the side of it, there’s places that definitely wouldn’t like that.”
While the project is picking up pace and starting to come alive, Mr Buscombe said the plan remains for the mural to unfold as a long-running project.
“This might be only my fifth or sixth visit, so it’s going really well,” he said.
“It’ll take a year or two to get it all finished, and it’ll be covered with a whole narrative.”
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