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Rylars Art Coffee Lounge


One of the most fascinating murals (or even paintings for that matter) I have ever seen can be found in my home town of Gawler, South Australila. Even more fascinating than the worlds biggest painting on canvas at Broken Hill in fact.

Rylars Art Coffee Lounge is home to one of the most detailed murals you're ever likely to find. The thumbnails above from the Coffee Lounges web site just doesn't do it justice. Not least because you can barely make out the detail but also because this mural circles the walls of the entire dining area. These images wouldn't even be 1% of the total mural.

Mostly black and white, the mural is still a work in progress even after three years. The best way to describe it is simply by quoting from Rylar's web site:
The artistic wizardry invoked within these walls is the culmination of a three year sojourn of indulgence and passion. This amazing work of art exemplifies an eclectic fusion of surrealism with medieval art, exercising an ability for intrinsic fine detail. Indulging and challenging, tempting your eyes to look further and deeper, taking you on a visual journey of fantasy and mystery with a curious blend of illusion and mysticism that will beckon you, as you attempt to unravel its diverse and arcane meanings.
Located at 41b Adelaide Road, Gawler (just next door to Dodd's Deli), Rylar is open Friday through to Monday, 5 - 9pm. My partner and I stopped there for dinner after seeing the movie I am Legend and were blown away by the detail, themes and overall impressive nature of the art.

We were there for around and hour and it was no where near enough time to take in everything. Definitely somewhere you'll want to visit more than once just to see what else you can find within the art.

You'll have no trouble going back either as the food is delicious and competitively priced with other restaurants, hotels and cafes in the region.

I wish I could show you better pictures of the mural just to give you more incentive to visit. It is really worth your while, even if you're not usually into art. This is truly one of Gawler's hidden tourist attractions.
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Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 06, 2008 10:35 PM

    yep this place is truely amazing!
    Im not a art person but the art work on these walls are like nothing i have ever seen. Great swiss chocolate too!
    We have been 3 times so far and have had the pleasure of viewing different parts of the walls each time.
    Its worth going there and spending lots of time just looking...great relaxing atmosphere. The owners encourage you to spend time looking at the art.

    ReplyDelete
  2. TET (David Arandle)June 09, 2008 10:12 AM

    Even if you are an art person the walls of Rylar's are amazing. If Gawler has a truly unique tourist attraction then this must be it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJune 13, 2008 12:28 PM

    My partner and I also discovered this treasure about 6 months ago and it has become our regular end of week relaxation. We were fortunate enough to meet the artist and discuss 'the creative personality.' My partner writes poetry and the artist was very interested in his poems and their similar experiences. Two of his poems are now on the wall, which we feel is a real honour. The owner, Linda, is a lovely welcoming hostess and we always enjoy delicious food and wonderful company when we visit. I'd encourage anyone to drop in for a chat and coffee or one of Linda's daughter's scrumptious meals.

    ReplyDelete
  4. TET (David Arandle)June 13, 2008 2:59 PM

    Hi Marian, I did get to meet the owner, Linda and agree she is very lovely and welcoming hostess. Haven't yet met the artists though. Congratulations on getting some of your partner's poetry on the wall there too.

    ReplyDelete

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