Port Macquarie artists Brad Collins and Todd Bourke are paying tribute to the life-saving efforts of rural firefighters with a mural in the town CBD.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The duo are completing the wall mural on the side of Dark Alley Collectables in Port Macquarie to support the work of the NSW Rural Fire Service. It was expected to take around 18 hours to finish.
"It's been put together to praise and thank all the people who are putting their lives on hold to help out in the bushfires," said Mr Collins.
"The whole country is on fire and we have a lot of peopling stopping everything in their lives to help other people. It's a good time to show praise for those people.
"I brought in Todd to do the koala and kangaroo because he is an animal painting wizard."
Mr Collins said he was inspired to create the work after seeing news stories about the bushfires.
The final design will mirror the layout of a vintage 1977 movie poster of Star Wars: A New Hope which features character Luke Skywalker holding a light saber aloft.
"I've been distracted by Star Wars lately and it's been a nice reprieve from the doom and gloom. I had the idea of a mural when I was watching the movie and it clicked the two things together," he said.
The full design will feature a koala, kangaroo, water bombing helicopters and two firefighters with the slogan 'A New Hope: Fire Wars'.
Record store owner Travis Fredericks said he'd like to see more murals make their way onto Port Macquarie walls around town.
"Being a bushfire mural it's timely and it's an iconic image from the original Star Wars movie they are referencing from as well," he said.
"How could you not be in support of it considering our whole country is on fire and everyone has someone who is affected by it.
"I just think art should be everywhere really, especially in Port Macquarie because we have a lot of blank walls. In other towns and cities the alley ways are full of murals but we don't have much of that here.
"Murals bring colour and a bit of life I think. There is a lot of graffiti that is rushed and messy but these kinds of murals are works of art, they should be encouraged."
What else is making news?
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.
If you value local journalism, continue to support us and consider taking out a subscription. CLICK HERE for a 30-day free trial.