Art Silo at Federal Mills . . .
North Geelong, Silo Art - Victoria
Artist: Sai Neoh
Location: Federal Mills, Mcleod St, North Geelong
(near 1915 Restaurant)
Local artist and Hamilton Group building designer Sai Neoh has transformed the Federal Mills silos with a captivating mural that celebrates Australia’s unique flora. His design features native flowers arranged in intricate, vibrant patterns that flow upward along the cylindrical structure, all set against a striking dark backdrop. The mural beautifully contrasts the silos' rugged industrial heritage with the delicate elegance of native blooms.
The artwork has quickly become a local landmark, drawing the attention of passersby and encouraging them to stop, engage, and appreciate the vibrant world of large-scale murals. (Australian Silo Art Trail)
"Neoh’s decision to paint the mural with a brush was dictated by the site, with the porous and undulated concrete of his silo canvas proving unsuitable for a roller and spray paint rejected in favour of the crisp lines better achieved with a brush.“As with all artistic projects, I had ideas of things that I hadn’t really tested, but adapting is part of it,”he said.“Until you get up and know the surface of the wall, and the wind and the conditions, you don’t truly know what you’re dealing with. So, you go there with an open mind and start doing it… and keep on going with it until it’s done.”Now complete, he hopes the project will serve as inspiration to the region’s young art students and emerging artists.Cam Hamilton, managing director of the Hamilton Group – which owns the Federal Mills precinct – said the silo had been a blank canvas awaiting the right opportunity for creative expression.“It became pretty clear to us soon after [Neoh] joined [the company] that he knew a fair bit about street art and large-scale murals, and just has a nous for contemporary culture and the integration of art into built environments." (Geelong Times)
Federal Mills was completed in 1915. The mill was vital to the Geelong region by creating stable employment for many local residents. Production saw raw wool being scoured, carded, dyed, spun and woven into cloth, processes which were powered by the mills own power plant. This self-sufficient approach was a significant innovation of the times, enabling Australia to produce its own essential military equipment without relying on assistance from overseas.
When the war ended in 1918, the factory switched to making cloth for a range of uses and by 1923 the whole enterprise was sold into private hands. Over the next two decades, new plant was installed and production increased dramatically.
In 1968, the site became known as Classweave Industries, continuing to spin and weave fabric for a range of uses - including the fabric for the first Qantas 747s - until finally closing its doors in 2001, marking the end of an era for fabric production at the site.
Art Silo at Federal Mills . . .
North Geelong, Silo Art - Victoria
Artist: Sai Neoh
Location: Federal Mills, Mcleod St, North Geelong
(near 1915 Restaurant)
Local artist and Hamilton Group building designer Sai Neoh has transformed the Federal Mills silos with a captivating mural that celebrates Australia’s unique flora. His design features native flowers arranged in intricate, vibrant patterns that flow upward along the cylindrical structure, all set against a striking dark backdrop. The mural beautifully contrasts the silos' rugged industrial heritage with the delicate elegance of native blooms.
The artwork has quickly become a local landmark, drawing the attention of passersby and encouraging them to stop, engage, and appreciate the vibrant world of large-scale murals. (Australian Silo Art Trail)
"Neoh’s decision to paint the mural with a brush was dictated by the site, with the porous and undulated concrete of his silo canvas proving unsuitable for a roller and spray paint rejected in favour of the crisp lines better achieved with a brush.“As with all artistic projects, I had ideas of things that I hadn’t really tested, but adapting is part of it,”he said.“Until you get up and know the surface of the wall, and the wind and the conditions, you don’t truly know what you’re dealing with. So, you go there with an open mind and start doing it… and keep on going with it until it’s done.”Now complete, he hopes the project will serve as inspiration to the region’s young art students and emerging artists.Cam Hamilton, managing director of the Hamilton Group – which owns the Federal Mills precinct – said the silo had been a blank canvas awaiting the right opportunity for creative expression.“It became pretty clear to us soon after [Neoh] joined [the company] that he knew a fair bit about street art and large-scale murals, and just has a nous for contemporary culture and the integration of art into built environments." (Geelong Times)
Federal Mills was completed in 1915. The mill was vital to the Geelong region by creating stable employment for many local residents. Production saw raw wool being scoured, carded, dyed, spun and woven into cloth, processes which were powered by the mills own power plant. This self-sufficient approach was a significant innovation of the times, enabling Australia to produce its own essential military equipment without relying on assistance from overseas.
When the war ended in 1918, the factory switched to making cloth for a range of uses and by 1923 the whole enterprise was sold into private hands. Over the next two decades, new plant was installed and production increased dramatically.
In 1968, the site became known as Classweave Industries, continuing to spin and weave fabric for a range of uses - including the fabric for the first Qantas 747s - until finally closing its doors in 2001, marking the end of an era for fabric production at the site.