6 November 2025
Yesterday afternoon we launched the Stobie Pole Project 2025, which was made possible by our collaboration with SA Power Networks, and proudly supported by the City of West Torrens.
Over the past six months, the participating artists have worked under the mentorship of renowned multi-disciplinary artist Christine Cholewa, developing their skills in conceptual thinking, public art processes, and urban storytelling.
Guests enjoyed a guided stroll along Albert Street and George Street in Thebarton lead by Di Caught, Community Development Officer (City of West Torrens) to view and hear about striking new installations by three talented emerging artists — Crista Bradshaw, Tieyuan (Vivian) Zhou, and Ange De Palma.
“This is my first public art project… It’s all about the local community, and I used nature as a language to introduce it into people’s everyday lives. It’s all the little enjoyments I found in this community.”
Tieyuan (Vivian) Zhou, Stobie Pole Project 2025 artist.
“With this project it was really important that it be community based, with the local community in mind. A lot of the work talks about connection, people, and housing. It also reflects the shapes of the blocks and the streets that are around this area. The people of Thebby love their post code so they can now take a photo of themselves next to their post code with The Wheaty in the background”.
Ange De Palma, Stobie Pole Project 2025 artist.
“It was a very fun experience being part of the Stobie Pole Project 2025, especially trying something new in a public space. It’s a great way to push your practice forward! I also am proud of this project by representing First Nations culture and bringing it into a public space”.
Crista Bradshaw, Stobie Pole Project 2025 artist.
The Stobie Pole Project celebration continued at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, where attendees heard from Jane MacFarlane (CEO of the Helpmann Academy), Andrew Bills (CEO of SA Power Networks) and Councillor Graham Nitschke (from City of West Torrens).
Since the launch of this collaboration between Helpmann Academy and SA Power Networks in 2022, 15 emerging Helpmann artists have now used this opportunity to make their mark on Adelaide’s dynamic public art scene.
“SA Power Networks is proud to once again collaborate with Helpmann Academy on the Stobie Pole Project in 2025. This one-of-a-kind initiative transforms our iconic Stobie Poles into bold, vibrant artworks, celebrating South Australia’s creativity and enriching our streetscapes. It’s a fantastic opportunity for emerging artists to leave their mark on our urban landscape, and I encourage everyone to get involved and celebrate the power of art in our community.”
Andrew Bills, CEO SA Power Networks
The benefits of the project extend beyond the artists. Local businesses and residents have enjoyed watching the artworks take shape over recent months and are delighted with the vibrant, permanent additions now brightening their neighbourhood.
“It’s been awesome watching Ange, Vivian, and Crista plan, create, and install their unique designs on the Stobie Poles along George Street over the past few months. My creative business has been part of this area for 30 years, and I know our community – locals and businesses alike appreciate fresh, creative projects like this. Having public art on our Stobie Poles brings so much colour life and vibrancy to the area. A reminder to celebrate and tap into our creativity.”
Tony Rosella, George Street business owner.
Jade Flavell, the Publican and Brewer at the Wheatsheaf Hotel said
“The Wheaty is thrilled to be involved with the Stobie Pole Art Project 2025 – a series fast becoming as iconic as the Stobie pole itself. Public art created by emerging artists of, by and for the community – surrounding a literal public house – is about as public as art can get. And we’re here for it. From footpath to front bar and beyond, we look forward to the Stobie Pole art developing a life of its own as part of the Thebarton landscape.”
Jade Flavell, the Publican and Brewer at the Wheatsheaf Hotel.
If you want to take your our tour of this fabulous Stobie Pole public art use the map below to help guide your way and download the Stobie Pole Project 2025 leaflet for more information about the launch day.
Now in its fourth edition since its inception in 2022, the Stobie Pole Project continues to bring bold, creative visions to one of South Australia’s most distinctive urban features — the Stobie Pole, a uniquely South Australian invention and an unconventional canvas for artistic expression.
“It’s wonderful to see the Stobie Pole Project now make its way to George Street. Public art like the Stobie Pole Project really encapsulates the neighbourhood and breaths in new life. This year with works by Crista Bradshaw we get the opportunity to see Aboriginal art shine outside our gallery as well as inside.”
Tiarnie Edwards, artist, curator and APY Studio Manager.
Created in 1924 by engineer James Cyril Stobie to address the region’s timber shortage and issues with termites, these unique electricity poles have since become a South Australian icon. Stobie Poles are more than just pieces of infrastructure — they’re cultural landmarks. Through this project, emerging artists are transforming everyday streetscapes into open-air galleries, enriching Adelaide’s urban landscape with accessible and enduring public art.
“The Stobie Pole Project is a wonderful example of how public art can connect people to place. It gives emerging artists an opportunity to develop their practice in a real-world setting, while bringing colour, creativity, and a sense of pride to our local streets. We’re incredibly proud to partner with SA Power Networks and value the support from the City of West Torrens to make projects like this possible.”
Jane MacFarlane, CEO Helpmann Academy.
ABOUT CRISTA BRADSHAW
Crista Bradshaw is a proud Wangkumaran contemporary artist living in South Australia. She is a graduate of the University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours), supporting her multi–disciplinary practice across photography, painting, and installation. Crista grew up without much of a relationship to her Wangkumaran heritage, since her family had lost their association with their language group. Then, as a teenager, Crista started to explore and re–establish this connection. Her artistic practice has since evolved from surface–level, separate interpretations of Western and Aboriginal art, into a much more refined exploration of the inner workings of each and how they fit together to expand on each other.
Connect with Crista: cristabradshaw.com/ | @cristabradshawart
ABOUT TIEYUAN (VIVIAN) ZHOU
Tieyuan (Vivian) Zhou is a researcher and artist specialising in printmaking, ceramics, and installation, whose work explores the relationships between loss and renewal. She is a graduate of the University of South Australia and holds a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts (Honours). Vivian exhibited in the Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition 2025, receiving recognition for her ability to translate personal and collective histories into evocative visual forms. She was presented with the Helpmann Major Exhibition Award, further affirming her commitment to pushing boundaries in material storytelling. With multi–media approaches and shattered ceramics, Vivian’s work looks at language, identity, memory, and the resilience and fragility of cultural connections.
Connect with Vivian: tieyuanzhou.com/ | @tieyuan_zhou
ABOUT ANGE DE PALMA
Ange is a painter, printmaker, photographer and sculptor, recently obtaining a Bachelor of Creative Arts from Flinders University and currently undertaking honours at Adelaide Central School of Art. Ange was recently awarded the Hill–Smith Art Advisory Award for their work displayed in the Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition 2025. Their artwork is process–driven with an interest in mark–making and perceived “faults”. Ange is passionate about exploring queer themes in their artwork. They are involved in many aspects of the arts industry from a prop maker at State Opera, to a scenic artist at State Theatre, and working at both The Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Fringe. At an amateur level, Ange began creating in high school before commencing tertiary study in 2021 with a professional art career in mind.
Connect with Ange: @_adp_artist_
VIEW OUR IMAGE GALLERY
The Stobie Pole Project 2025 is a partnership between the Helpmann Academy and major partner SA Power Networks, and is supported by the City of West Torrens.
Photography credits: Greg Adams, Imagestix.