Interview about The River Runs Through Public Art, winner of the A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award 2022
The River Runs Through is a dynamic art installation which explores the rich narrative of the water ways found at the Merbein Common; a native reserve on the Murray River of Victoria. The artwork combines traditional mural painting with innovative digital printing and is presented on the walls of an old refrigerated storage shed, which was once used to store fruit for a juice factory. At night it is a totally different experience; powered by the sun the artwork is transformed into a colorful light installation.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe large-scale format of the site required embracing the quality of hand-painted elements and the precision of digital printing. This hybrid approach allowed for a visually dynamic outcome that retained a bright and bold presence while ensuring the artwork’s durability throughout the harshness of an Australia summer.
The artwork is designed to shift with the light, much like the river itself. During the day, natural sunlight highlights intricate layers of color, evoking the movement of water and the textures of the landscape. At night, the projection component transforms the space, immersing viewers in a flowing, animated version of the artwork. This interplay between static and dynamic elements allows the story of the river to unfold in different ways, engaging audiences in a multi-sensory experience that reflects the rhythms of the natural environment.
Integrating a solar-powered lighting system posed both technical and creative challenges. The site’s remote location required a self-sustaining solution, meaning every aspect of the lighting design had to be energy-efficient and strategically placed to maximise impact. One challenge was ensuring that the projections remained vivid while operating on stored solar power. This influenced my artistic choices—I opted for high-contrast visuals and a colour palette that would maintain clarity in low-light conditions. Additionally, I worked closely with the team, to fine-tune the positioning of solar panels and lighting fixtures to enhance the natural contours of the artwork, ensuring it remained immersive and atmospheric after dark. The result is an installation that not only respects the environment but also evolves with the changing light, just like the river itself.
The overwhelming community support reinforced the responsibility I felt to make this artwork deeply reflective of local stories. It wasn’t just about creating a piece of public art; it was about channeling the collective voice of the community. Their investment—both financial and emotional—encouraged me to work closely with local storytellers and historians to ensure authenticity in the narrative. The result is an artwork that belongs to the people of Merbein, representing their connection to the river and the land in a way that is both personal and enduring.
The abstract wave was in essence - a simple giant sticker - sliced in various sizes. It may have been a simple digital print - the challenge was the way it was installed onto a metal shed that had many perforated curves on it. The beauty of why this graphic was was so effective was due to the detailed precision and delicate installation made by the installers over a period of 2 days - taking their time to making this large scale artwork millimetre perfect.
The River Runs Through Public Art was designed to be both deeply rooted in local identity and universally engaging, ensuring it resonates with the Merbein community while also drawing visitors to the Sunraysia region.The artwork was developed with regional tourism in mind, complementing local events, walking trails, and the broader Sunraysia experience. It acts as both a standalone cultural landmark and a gateway to exploring the natural beauty of the area, inviting visitors to engage more deeply with the landscape.By balancing authenticity with broad appeal, The River Runs Through strengthens local pride while positioning Merbein as a compelling destination for travelers, reinforcing the Sunraysia region as a place where art, nature, and culture come together.
The digital components don’t replace the natural beauty of the river but act as an amplification—drawing attention to details that might otherwise go unnoticed. Light projections mimic the shimmer of water at night, animations highlight the hidden movements of nocturnal wildlife, and shifting visuals respond to the environment, making the artwork feel like a natural extension of the landscape rather than a static installation.This interplay between digital and natural elements also reflects a broader artistic approach—honoring the traditional narratives and ecological significance of the river while using contemporary tools to bring these stories to life in new ways. The result is an artwork that speaks to both history and future possibilities, reinforcing the Murray River’s enduring presence in the Sunraysia region.By weaving digital storytelling into the physical landscape, The River Runs Through serves as both a beacon for visitors and a reflective space for the local community—bridging past, present, and future through art and technology.
The transformation of The River Runs Through Public Art from day to night is designed to reflect the dynamic shifts in the Merbein Common’s ecosystem, emphasising the interplay between natural cycles and the life they sustain.During the day, the artwork uses bold, bright colours and strong graphic forms that highlight the colour palette of the landscape and the movement of the river. At night, the artwork transforms through cooler tone projection and lighting effects, mirroring the shift to a more mysterious and subdued natural state. The transition also captures the atmospheric shifts in temperature and sound, from the sharp blistering sun and heat of the day to the stillness and coolness of the night.
This project has shown that large-scale, ambitious public art isn’t limited to urban centers—it can thrive in rural communities and be a powerful catalyst for cultural engagement, tourism, and local pride. I hope it inspires future projects that embrace storytelling, technology, and community collaboration. By demonstrating how public art can reflect local heritage and the natural environment while integrating contemporary techniques, The River Runs Through sets a precedent for future works that are both site-responsive and innovative. More importantly, the success of this project—particularly the community-driven fundraising and support—highlights the appetite for more creative initiatives in rural spaces. I see this as the beginning of a broader movement where regional communities take ownership of their cultural narratives and commission works that resonate deeply with their identity and landscape.
One of the key sustainable features of the project is its use of solar-powered lighting. This eliminates the need for grid electricity, reducing the environmental footprint while allowing the artwork to illuminate the space in a way that respects the natural rhythms of the Merbein Common. The lighting design mimics the way sunlight and moonlight interact with the landscape, enhancing the immersive experience without excessive light pollution.Eco-Friendly Materials & Low-Impact InstallationWherever possible, the materials chosen were durable, non-toxic, and designed to have minimal impact on the environment. The installation process was carefully planned to avoid unnecessary disruption to the site, preserving the natural terrain and ensuring that the artwork coexists with the surrounding ecosystem rather than altering it.Water-Conscious Cleaning & MaintenanceSince the project celebrates natural waterways, it was important that maintenance practices did not introduce harmful chemicals into the environment. The cleaning processes rely on eco-friendly, biodegradable solutions and minimal water usage. Additionally, the materials were selected to withstand the natural elements, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and unnecessary resource consumption.
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