Rodney Stevens

Artworks are being painted on the pylons holding up the new Harwood bridge by a local artist in a partnership between Clarence Valley Council and Transport for NSW.

When a photo of the work appeared on social media, the CV Independent contacted Transport for NSW to enquire about the painting and was told the project, on the Transport for NSW asset, was being done by council.

Clarence Valley Council advised local artist Al Stark has been commissioned to create designs that remember the 2022 flood.

The murals depicting four river sentinels will be painted on pylons on the northern side of Yamba Road under the new Harwood bridge.

A sentinel is defined as ‘a soldier or guard or whose job it is to stand and keep watch’ according to the Oxford Dictionary, so Mr Stark’s sentinel murals will be watching over the Clarence River.

Funding for the project was received by council as part of the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation of councils from the Northern NSW Government Flood Commemorative Events Grant to create public artworks in the Clarence Valley.

An appropriate site for the artwork on the pylons of the bridge over the Clarence River at Yamba Road, James Creek was chosen after council worked with Transport for NSW to determine a suitable location.

A part of the project, council said other murals will be installed at Lawrence and Grafton.

A council spokesperson said there will be no traffic interruptions while work is taking place, but traffic will be reduced to 40km/h around the work site.

In its outline for the project council says public art improves community wellbeing through creativity.

“It can help to develop shared identity and reinforce a connection to place, memory, and community,” council’s project outline states.

“In this instance, public art represents collective memory, public history, and the artistic chronicling of the experience of the 2022 Flood event.

“Engagement with the local community in the development and design of public artworks ensures that there is strong ownership of and pride in public spaces.

“Site specific artworks create distinctive locations and help to build local identity and neighbourhood character.

“Working together to encourage public art and the development of this space whilst protecting the heritage and community safety is an important part of this project.”

Council anticipates the artworks will be completed between June 20 and July 1, weather permitting.