125 stories for 125 years

The Sissons Mural

The Sissons mural was commissioned by Eric Scott, president of the Pharmaceutical Society in 1962, to commemorate A.T.S Sissons ’ 42 years at the College. The mural dominates the stage area of Cossar Hall, where most of the College’s major events are held.

The mural tells a story of the peaceful development of science, medicine, and pharmacy, all of which were inextricably interwoven in ancient times.

The painting was executed by Leonard Annois, a Melbourne born artist who was acclaimed for his work in watercolour and fresco.

It is the largest mural painting in Australia, measuring 21m by 6m. The paintings on each of three walls surrounding the stage are in the form of ellipses, suggesting the cosmos. Within these large 'cosmic ellipses' are ten smaller individual paintings, all elliptical in form. The symbols of beauty (the ovary of the flower), peace (the dove), and progress (the interlocking ellipses) indicate the beautiful peaceful progress of scientific endeavour. There are ten discrete paintings all joined with physical ability and mental force into what seems to be an inevitable spiritual quality. These paintings are arranged to give an overall impression of a horse pulling a large chariot of progress, of which the Greek and Babylonian panels are the wheels, giving the mural a quality of advancement and motion.

The mural moves through events and moments in history; the cavalcade of evolution in pre-historic times; the civilisations of Babylon, Egypt, Greece, and Rome; the destruction by fire of the library at Alexandria; humanity in the chains of the dark ages; the rise of Islam; the middle ages with their superstitions and ignorance; the renaissance of the printing press and the dissemination of knowledge; and finally, the dominance of atomic chemistry, which is the main point of interest.

The medium used for the mural is fresco secco. The special preparation of the surface is an art in itself and ensures the colour penetrates and stains the surface. Hand ground carbonated lime and sand are applied to give a textured surface of intense whiteness. The surface is then painted with lime-resistant colour.

The mural was completed in 1962 and was unveiled by the Premier of Victoria, Sir Henry Bolte, in 1963.

Other works by Leonard Annois can be found all Australian state galleries, universities, and Royal collections. His murals in Australia include those in the Geelong Harbour Trust building; the Pharmaceutical Guild headquarters, Melbourne; the Gas and Fuel Corporation, Melbourne; the Navy headquarters, Canberra; The Melbourne Boys High School; St. John's Church, Camberwell, Victoria; and the ANZ banks in Ballarat and Alice Springs. Melbourne.

The Sissons Mural is located in Cossar Hall at the Victorian College of Pharmacy.