Art of the country
Waimate artist Bill Scott’s street art is a unique addition to the town that’s loved by visitors and locals alike.
Bill has drawn from childhood and has always enjoyed being creative. His rural background encouraged the need to turn his hand to both his engineering endeavours and his love of the arts. He finds the process of larger works challenging and enjoyable.
He knows the hustle and bustle of cities, and the quiet of rural life, and reckons that living in a small community provides a measure of freedom that city-dwellers may miss.
‘Living in a small place you immediately need less, because your costs are lower, and you have more time. There’s typically plenty of work, and there’s access to the outdoors, to the mountains and lakes and the sea. It’s healthy, and it’s great for kids too.
‘People here are happy to make eye contact and have a yarn - they have time. You just don’t get the same connections in the city - the hustle and bustle, the traffic lights - it’s all too big, and too hard.’
Bill’s most famous work of art is the incredible silo art towering high on the grain silos beside the Waimate Transport yard on Queen Street. These works of art pay homage to personalities from Waimate’s past who have been instrumental in shaping the Waimate District. Bill’s murals have been part of the Waimate March Hare Rally for around 30 years - he paints the artwork during the rally, and it’s raffled at the end, with the proceeds going to local charities or community groups.
You can see Bill’s work on buildings around town - look out for his favourite, of the Waimate 50, and other murals based on historic photographs, including potato harvesting and strawberry picking. The Waimate gym, at the Event Centre, has his art on the walls too; and you might see some of his work adorning farm sheds around the district.
Bill, like many Waimate people, shares a passion for small towns. He’s optimistic about the district’s future.
Find out more and see Bill at work here.