coming together with colour

Prior to 1985 there were only a few Tamil families living in Queensland. By 1983 some of the Hindu families felt the need for community worship so monthly congregational prayer meetings were first conducted at homes and then at the SWARA hall.

As the congregational worship continued to expand, the building of a traditional Hindu temple in Brisbane became a necessity. A convening committee was formed in April 1986. The major task for the Management Committee from 1987-1990 was to raise sufficient funds to purchase a suitable block of land to build the temple. In 1990 they succeeded in purchasing 4.5 acres of elevated bushland, similar to the locations of Hindu temples in India, at South Maclean. Construction started in 1994.

Selva Vinayakar temple is built according to traditional Indian style in conformity with ancient Sitpa Sastra and Agamas. A beautiful tower (Gopuram) and ornamental icons were also constructed by temple builders and sculptors invited from South India. Sri Selva Vinaykar Temple was rebuilt in the same location and the new temple was opened to devotees.

The temple also serves as a centre for various cultural and educational activities. Religious classes are conducted for children, there are music and dance programmes, and scholars and religious leaders are invited to address the devotees on special occasions.

All statues were handmade and carved on site finished in a colour palette of Resene Space Cadet (ultramarine blue), Resene Malibu (surf blue), Resene Apache (ochre yellow), Resene Sassy (bold magenta), Resene Chocolate (red brown), Resene Guardsman Red (bold red), Resene Flamingo (hot pink), Resene Red Berry (vivid red), Resene Pirate Gold (ochre), Resene Lima (lime green), Resene Lilac Bush (violet red), Resene Japanese Laurel (bright green), Resene Supernova (bold yellow), Resene Black, Resene Gull Grey (pastel grey), Resene Gold Dust (gold metallic), Resene Bullion (copper gold) and Resene Merino (green off-white). The painters from India wanted to use solventborne enamels such as Resene Super Gloss, but were encouraged to use Resene Hi-Glo gloss acrylic instead with Resene Enamacryl Metallic for the metallic colours. They were amazed with the results. All statues were painted with squirrel paint brushes, which are less than 20mm in width.

Resene Limelock was used throughout the interior and exterior. The exterior was then topcoated in Resene Lumbersider low sheen in Resene Golden Glow (red based yellow) and Resene Regent Grey (friar grey) with the exterior border artwork in Resene Enamacryl Metallic tinted to Resene Gold Dust.

The Hindu Temple Building Project – South Maclean by N. Ketheeswaran, AKVA Chem Consultant won the Resene Total Colour Commercial Interior – Public + Retail Award 2016.

The judges thought: “This project is iconic, memorable and will continue to draw attention for many years to come. It’s a truly unique project with an historical application of colour teamed up with the skilful application of paint. Modern paint and colour technology meets traditional artisans who have worked their magic carefully combining a multitude of colours for a striking effect.

The attention to detail and the dedication to ensuring each colour is in its rightful place is both fascinating and inspiring. The colour brings all the elements to life and celebrates and showcases a culture bursting with pride.”

Architectural specifier: Sri Selva Vinaykar
Management committee: Sri Selva Vinaykar Koyil
Painting contractor: Artists/painters from India
Technical & project manager: N Ketheeswaran, AKVA Chem Consultant
Winner: Resene Total Colour Commercial Interior – Public + Retail Award 2016
Project: Resene Total Colour Awards 2016
From the Resene News – issue 2/2017