If you’re travelling north on the Great Inland Way you’ve probably admired the mural on the Coonamble water tower or picked up a tourist guide with a wild looking 4WD and caravan on the cover from the Walgett Visitor Information Centre. If you’re travelling south you’ve probably stopped at the Hebel Pub for a beer and noticed the sunglass-wearing sheep adorning the walls. Welcome to the land of John Murray.
John is the region’s most beloved artist and in the Ridge his work is everywhere you turn, from the Bowling Club to street murals to the 18m tall emu called Stanley who greets visitors on the Castlereagh Highway on the southern approach to town. Stanley is built from VW Beetle car parts!
You’ll find more of John’s famous emus and his evocative Outback landscapes in his gallery in the centre of Lightning Ridge, alongside evocative and creative photography from wife Viki. John was declared a finalist in the 2021 Australian Street Art Awards. Stanley was a finalist in the best Landmark Sculpture category.
While driving around Lightning Ridge keep an eye out for John and his band of local children – they may just be working on the next masterpiece.