13 October 2023
There are 650,000 Stobie poles in SA — the only place you will find them in the world – and a small group of emerging artists have made their mark on this local icon.
Local emerging creatives, Alice Hu, Ellis Moseley, Abby Pumpa and Anna Révész have given a collection of Stobie poles around Beefacres Reserve in Windsor Gardens an eye-catching makeover through the second iteration of The Stobie Pole Project.
These public artworks also mark the sixth major public artwork commissioned by SA Power Networks through the Helpmann Academy.
Established in 2016, the Helpmann public art program is the first of its kind. Its aim is to assist emerging practitioners to gain valuable experience and skills to negotiate the public art domain from concept to completion. In turn, it also contributes to making dynamic, liveable urban spaces and enhancing destination landmarks.
In 2023 The Stobie Pole Project paired the four emerging creatives with established artist, Seb Humphreys to mentor and guide the group. Seb is known for his large-scale mural work and sculptures that explore the intersection of nature and the modern urbanised world, which was an incredible resource for the emerging artists.
For the past six months Seb mentored the group and ran a series of design and building workshops, culminating in the installation of the artworks on the Stobie poles. It is the mentorship component of this program that makes it unique and sets it aside from other public artworks.
The finished artworks were launched in a public event in Beefacres Reserve late last month.
Guests were taken on a tour of the works by the participating artists, which explore themes of nature and responses to the River Torrens (Karrawirra Parri), celebrations and discovery of local flora and fauna and personal reflections on family and belonging.
Alice Hu
Alice is an Adelaide based artist. Her works are often philosophy-based, as she uses mediums such as ceramics, painting, glass, tattoos and installation. Alice has gained a unique aesthetic from her multicultural background and acculturation knowledge. Her work focuses on concepts of multiculturalism, equality and freedom of choice.
What enticed you to take part in this project?
It was a great opportunity to provide my unique perspective and artwork to the public and local community, and the chance to work among other amazing artists.
What has the experience been like to be mentored by Seb Humpreys?
It was very inspiring to hear Seb’s experience and perspective through his professional experience and practices on public art, they were extremely valuable and great advice, it is amazing to be able to work among him and he has been a very lovely mentor through this whole time.
Why is public art important?
It really connects and bring people together. I think it not only contributes to the enrichment of communities, but also the promotion of artistic expression in public art and how this can have a positive impact on the emotional and psychological well-being of community and individuals. It can evoke emotions, inspire creativity, and provide solace or inspiration to those who encounter it.
And, is it something you want to do more of?
I would absolutely love to the more sculptural and bigger pieces in the future when opportunity comes, it has been a great journey so far to brainstorm and create the works, and I would hate to not being able to do things like this again.
FOLLOW: @alice_hu_artist
Ellis Moseley
Ellis is an Adelaide-based artist, living and working on traditional land of the Kaurna people. Ellis’s practice encompasses installation and ceramics, often seeking to draw attention to social concerns through conceptual mechanisms that encourage a deeper consideration of our own attitudes and behaviour.
How did you go about formulating your designs for this project?
The ceramic works have been developed to convey an understated otherness in the suburban setting. I wanted to be sensitive to the residents whose homes are nearest the works. The pole at the bus stop aims to bring morning joy to commuters by using gentle but joyous yellow and orange. The feathered work in the park intends to capture the attention of those who move along the walking path, particularly young children. I want to provide a jumping point for their vivid imaginations, is it a strange bird? Or is it a monster?
What enticed you to take part in this project?
The opportunity to work in a community setting. To have my work be part of the everyday life of residents and park users is an honour. Few of my previous works are accessible to the public after they are complete, I hope these works give an enduring pleasure to the Windsor Gardens community.
What are three big “take outs” you have learned about public art?
To be sensitive to the community. To be aware how the works will be experienced from all viewing points and how to fit conceptual ideas around technical requirements.
Why is public art important?
Art needs to be available to all people in all settings. Galleries and museums can be intimidating, public art is accessible and can be experienced by everybody.
FOLLOW: @ellisdmoseley
Abby Pumpa
Abby is an emerging artist based in Adelaide who primarily works with drawing and printmaking. Her work is a mix of illustrative work and painterly monotypes that incorporate themes of nostalgia, memory, relationships, pop culture. Abby predominantly depicts people or objects in a way that is emotive and with a sense of humour and playfulness.
What enticed you to take part in this project?
I’m a port Adelaide local so that for me was a big motivator. I’m also fresh out of art school and was interested in exploring public art so this felt like a nice way to be introduced to how it works.
How did you go about formulating your designs?
An early stage in my design process was to visit the port Adelaide local archives. They are open to the public and have a bunch of articles about different suburbs in the council area. The knight and the crocodile were inspired by news articles from the 1990s about Windsor Gardens; namely about a stolen suit of armour whose parts were found in a field and the High School’s science departments and a baby crocodile named Sid Vicious. My designs all started as a basic outline for composition, but I did not know what they would look like at the end of the project. The final designs have a lot of free-flowing brush strokes and textures that reflect the intuitive nature of the painting process.
How do opportunities like this impact your practice?
It introduced me to the process of creating public art which was something that felt so daunting to approach before. But because of this opportunity I hope to do more (maybe even bigger) projects in the future.
How does it feel to be become a part of the public space in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield?
Not to be dramatic but I love Port Adelaide with my whole heart. So, it feels really nice to be able to make work for the public in an area that means so much to me!
FOLLOW: @abbypumpa
Anna Révész
Anna is an emerging, Adelaide-based artist working across several mediums, with a particular interest in photography and the opportunities it presents to capture, relive or totally reinvent moments in time. Anna explores the interchange between past and present moments and attempts to navigate spaces of instability and uncertainty. Utilising both digital and analogue photography she also explores ideas of memory and how it is created, sustained or reconstructed.
What enticed you to take part in this project?
I have always had an interest in public art and the opportunity it provides to push your art practice in new directions and towards new audiences. I was also excited by the opportunity of being mentored by Seb Humphreys, who has a lot of experience and knowledge to offer in regard to the public art realm.
Why is public art important?
Public art is important because it offers a completely accessible way for the public to experience art. It also provides new perspectives of areas and environments and may prompt people to consider the spaces they are familiar with in a new and exciting way.
How do opportunities like this influence your practice or the next steps you will take?
Opportunities like this allow me to continue engaging with audiences in new ways, and to try out new methods and techniques that I may not otherwise have the time, budget or space to explore. They also allow me to continue developing new concepts and to broaden my artistic network by working with other artists.
How does it feel to be become a part of the public space in Windsor Gardens?
It is exciting to become a part of the public space! I am really interested to see how The Stobie Pole Project will be received in this area. It is satisfying to know that a small area will be enriched with art that will allow people to see their environment in a new way.
FOLLOW: @annareveszz
The Stobie Pole Project is a partnership between the Helpmann Academy and SA Power Networks and was supported by City of Port Adelaide Enfield and Post Office Projects Gallery+Studios.
Images: Naomi Jellicoe