City of Parramatta Council will conserve a significant mid-20th century public mural ahead of the demolition of the former Chambers building in Parramatta Square.
The former Parramatta City Council commissioned artist Tom Thompson to create the six-metre long mural in 1957 for its administration building that was opened in May 1958.
“Parramatta Road, accenting significant figures of early Parramatta” is housed on the wall in the foyer of the former Chambers building and captures Parramatta’s Colonial history.
The mural will be removed from the former Chambers building and stored while the City of Parramatta investigates a suitable option for its reinstallation in an appropriate location.
Tom Thompson is a well-regarded Australian artist known for large‐scale public murals in locations such as Parramatta, Australia House in London and Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney. His artworks have been exhibited in the Tate Gallery in London as well as the State Galleries of South Australia and Western Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria.
City of Parramatta Administrator Amanda Chadwick said Tom Thompson’s mural represented an important part of Parramatta’s history and added to the rich culture of the local area.
“This impressive mural holds great significance aesthetically and historically for the people of Parramatta and the City as a whole so it’s important we conserve this piece of art for future generations to experience and interpret.”
The mural is made up of four plates and depicts views of Parramatta Road, highlighting figures and examples of Colonial life such as Governor Lachlan Macquarie and his wife Elizabeth, John Macarthur, Parramatta River where Arthur Phillip apparently landed, a convict road gang under guard and agricultural workers. “Parramatta Road” is painted in strong, colourful tones using a primarily orange and blue colour palette.
Demolition of the former Chambers building is expected to start in the coming weeks. The “Parramatta Road” mural will be removed as part of this process and securely stored in a suitable facility.
