Russell Drysdale Easel Sculpture

In 1949, Sir Russell Drysdale, one of the most significant Australian artists of the 20th century, visited West Wyalong with his lawyer friend John Nagle, who was working on a case there.

To pass the time, Drysdale sketched in court and also drew the Main Street while standing in front of the Tattersall's Hotel. This sketch became the basis for one of his most powerful paintings "West Wyalong." He was inspired to create this painting while standing under the hotel verandah at half-past six in the evening. With everyone gone home for tea, he recalled how deserted the street was, except for a light coming from the Greek café down the street.

Today, you can see a bronze and stainless steel bas-relief sculpture based on Drysdale's 1949 painting of the town's main street outside the Tattersall Hotel. This bas-relief, commissioned by Bland Shire Council from Sydney artists Gillie and Marc, was sponsored by the local Barrick Cowal Gold Mine. It is designed as a painting rendered in bronze on an easel and is located on the corner of the hotel where Drysdale originally sketched the famous silent street scene.