Lascelles Silo Art: A Portrait of Community

The GrainCorp silos at Lascelles stand as a testament to the spirit of a small community and the power of public art. Painted in mid-2017 by Melbourne-based artist Rone, the silo art features striking portraits of Geoff and Merrilyn Horman, a local couple who have farmed in the area for four generations. Rone chose the Hormans to grace the silos because they embody the enduring spirit of the community. The artist aimed to portray them as wise and knowing, nurturing the town's future with their vast farming experience and longstanding connection to the land. Geoff and Merrilyn were both born in the district and married in Lascelles in 1967. Rone worked for two weeks to transform the two 1939 GrainCorp silos. He employed a unique technique, adding water to his paint to create a ghostly, transparent effect that blends the artwork with the concrete. The first silo you see from the car park is of Geoff, while you have to walk around the other side to find the portrait of Merrilyn. The Lascelles Silo Art is part of the larger Silo Art Trail, which has grown since 2016 to include multiple sites featuring giant artworks. The Silo Art Trail is considered Australia's largest outdoor gallery.