A spectacular giant rainbow lorikeet has taken up residence on Ryedale Road, West Ryde, thrilling residents, commuters, and visitors to nearby Anzac Park with its gloriously coloured plumage.
The dinosaur-sized native bird is not an escapee from Jurassic Park, but rather the creation of the talented team from Blackbook Ink who recently painted it in mural form on the side of 59A Ryedale Road as part of City of Ryde's Graffiti Management Project.
The process for selecting the eye-catching design was fully inclusive, with Council, the building owner, Blackbook Ink, and the community all involved.
After Blackbook Ink was awarded the tender, lead artist Brode Crompton conducted a site visit with both the Council and the building owner to discuss potential designs.
A call then went out to the community for its input and in response the artist came back with three different flora and fauna concepts. The image of the lorikeet with a bokeh background was selected because it symbolises all the lorikeets found daily in Anzac Park.
It took the artist two weeks to complete the mural, which included applying an anti-graffiti coating to increase its longevity.
City of Ryde Mayor Clr Sarkis Yedelian OAM said the mural had already attracted many positive reviews, with calls from residents for similar artworks to be created across the municipality.
"This mural is not just an artwork but a public asset that will bring joy and inspiration to the community for years to come," Clr Yedelian said.
"This selection also emphasises the importance of choosing a mural design that is in harmony with the local environment, thereby creating a sense of place and identity."
The Ryedale Road mural is the second of three that Council is commissioning as part of the NSW Government funded Graffiti Management Project, designed to beautify our City, instil a sense of community and belonging and to discourage graffiti.
The first, at Meadowbank train station, was completed in December 2022 and brings together elements of water and land in an art deco abstract design. The third is still in the process of being commissioned by Council but will be situated at ELS Hall Park in North Ryde.
