Artist develops art trail concept for the Fleurieu region
In a paddock just outside of Mount Compass stands a worn old hay shed, which has been transformed into a colourful tourist attraction, following a two month project by artist Chad Spencer.
Through a 100 hour labour of love, often curtailed by weather, Spencer delicately adorned the shed on the edge of Goolwa Road in artistry representative of the local region.
The stunning aerosol-painted mural includes local guinea flowers, stringy bark gumtrees and wattle, as well as paying special tribute to the region's dairy farming roots.
Sitting on property owned by the Basham family, the mural which was completed this week, has already attracted dozens of tourists and Spencer sees this as part of a bigger concept for the region.
Having already painted a well received Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo mural in Goolwa, he hopes to develop an art trail for the Alexandrina region, attracting locals and tourists alike.
"The I-Spy Art Trail is a concept I've come up with which in essence, is a collection of paintings throughout the countryside celebrating different things that surround us, including indigenous flora and fauna, particularly endangered species," said Spencer.
"The yellow guinea flowers on this particular work are critically endangered in the area."
Throughout his work, around ten people per-day stopped to admire the mural and take photographs, with this number expected to grow now the mural is complete.
The painting of the primary wall was made possible through grant funding provided by Carclew's Futures Funding program and the Commissioner for Children and Young People, while the Basham family funded the south-west wall.
"For my next work, I plan to paint the Southern Emu-wren which is also endangered and native to the Fleurieu," said Spencer.
"I want to create significant paintings throughout the countryside which are community-accessible and relevant to people of all ages.
"So far the feedback has been wonderful and a bit overwhelming. I've had so many great conversations with those who have stopped for a look, and I'm quite humbled by that.
"I'd love for kids in cars travelling through this amazing region to be able to look out and see artwork with a story. I'm really proud and excited to grow the concept."
Spencer considers his project in the early stages and is currently exploring funding options to get his art trail off the ground.
Ultimately, he hopes to grow the concept and is looking forward to developing a number of new works in the near future.
He can be contacted via chad.spencer@y7mail.com