When artist Austin NITSUA got word that his stunning portrait of Yaegl elder Uncle Ron Herron that he painted on a River Steet Maclean pump station had been graffitied with light coloured paint in August last year he was ‘gutted’.
The street artist and mural creator, who has painted his distinctive illustrations all over Australia, from Byron Bay to giant examples of silo art in South Australia, said he was ready to repaint the mural the week after it was defaced, but the development application process through council delayed progress.
“I was ready to repaint the mural three days after it got hit, but the process has taken nine months to get to this stage,” he said.
Despite this delay, as soon as Nitsua got the go ahead, he and his partner Monique, armed with a ute full of spray paint cans got to work to repaint the mural on Sunday, May 28.
“Originally, before painting the first mural, I went and took photos of Uncle Ron and I had photos of him that were quite similar to the last mural, but I chose this image because he just had a bit more of a grin on his face,” he said.
“I thought it was quite suitable too, to come back with a bit of a grinning smile saying you paint over me, and I’ve come back with a vengeance this time with a warrior ochre.
“I asked the Yaegl mob what the best sort of ochre was I could do, and that is what I’ve done.”
The mural features respected Yaegl Elder Uncle Ron Herron, who has degrees in archaeology and anthropology and lectured at Southern Cross University for 10 years and was awarded a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) by Macquarie University in 2014.
The beautiful new portrait on the pump station opposite the intersection of River Street and Howard Street features a black background and the grinning image of Uncle Ron Heron surrounded by powerful red details, with a rainbow honey eater and a symbol of the sun to his left.
“The rainbow honeyeater is found locally here, and I felt like it was quite a suitable bird being so colourful to add to the mural, compared to the last bird I did,” he said.
This time, Austin said the entire canvas of the pump station will be covered in a collaboration with Uncle Ron’s nephew, aspiring artist Gareth Charlton.
“I also wanted to bring in an indigenous style sun symbol that is going to incorporate with what Gareth is doing on the sides,” he said.
While Austin took only a day-and-a-half to complete the mural masterpiece, Gareth’s contribution to the sides of the pump station is still a work in progress and will be finished over the coming weeks.
To prevent defacing of the new mural, Austin said it was covered with several coats of a two-part clear anti-graffiti coat that allows any paint to be easily removed.
Austin said generous contributions from Codie and Skye Croker at MMD Earthworks of $550, another $550 from Clarence Property Agents owner Fiona Beamer and $100 from Peter and Chee Pearsall help cover the costs of this ‘passion project’.
“We are grateful for the donations as this was a passion project and was never done to make money,” Austin said.
“The funds given just cover the expenses of coming back and repainting it, the anti-graffiti clear coat and Gareth’s help.
“We conquered the attack with love and patience and to represent the respected local Yaegl elders and all first nations people.”
Anyone interested in commissioning Austin to paint any murals can contact him at austin@nitsua.com.au or through his Instagram handle @nitsua.
This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 7 June 2023.
Related stories: Maclean pump station’s new Yaegl elder’s portrait, Yaegl Elder’s portrait defaced, In honour of Uncle Ron Heron during NAIDOC week
