Family story looks over Canadian prairie
A portrait of Hunchy artist Joel Fergie and his young family now towers 30 metres above the Canadian prairies following his first Canadian commission.
Known as The Zookeeper, Fergie returned home after a fortnight in Saskatchewan, where he transformed Shaunavon’s water tower for the town’s third annual South West Mural Fest.
The award-winning artist, celebrated for large-scale silo art across regional Australia, headlined the festival alongside five other artists.
Unveiled on Sunday, his mural depicts Fergie, his wife and their two-year-old daughter sitting around a campfire as the moon rises over the Saskatchewan prairie.
In the distance, a second couple sit on the roof of an old pickup truck. They were intended to represent an earlier stage in the couple’s lives, separated only by time.
But after Fergie met organisers Andrew and Anna Robertson, the young artists were photographed and added to the mural.
“In a lot of ways, the artwork evolved from being a reflection on my own past into something that connected two families, two communities and two different stages of life,” Fergie said.
“I love that the piece now carries both stories at once. While it’s rooted in my own story, I hope it encourages people to reflect on their own journey and the people who have shaped their lives.”
It is the first time Fergie has included his wife and daughter together in one of his works.
The organisers gave him complete creative freedom to create a personal work while retaining his focus on the regional communities hosting his art. Painting almost 30 metres above the ground brought challenges, particularly when the boom lift could not reach the top of the tower and the design had to be adapted.
“Sometimes those unexpected hurdles end up making the artwork stronger because they force you to think creatively,” Fergie said.
The experience also sparked ideas for his home region. “It made me come home thinking about how I might bring some of that same spirit to the Sunshine Coast,” he said. “Maybe there’s an opportunity to create a small mural festival of our own that celebrates local artists, tells local stories and strengthens connections within our community.”
The Shaunavon festival began in 2024 after Robertson raised $30,000 to launch it. Artist applications grew from 84 in 2025 to more than 600 this year.
Thirteen murals have now been added to the rural town, with organisers saying the project has attracted visitors while strengthening local business and community pride. Fergie is now back home between regional and international commissions.
