The third iteration of The Stobie Pole Project is here! Following on from the success of the last couple of years, we have partnered again with SA Power Networks to bring you this unique, public artwork commission opportunity.
In 2024 SA Power Networks celebrates 100 years of the iconic Stobie pole, as we turn 30. In this milestone year we have engaged, local established artist Christine Cholewa as the project mentor. Christine will coach and guide the selected group of four emerging artists to create a new series of public artworks embracing the Stobie Pole.
Selected artists will receive a fee of $3,000 plus materials as you develop your abilities and confidence in producing public artwork. Please note that you will be required to have your own public liability insurance.
The opportunity will include masterclasses and workshops to develop and collaborate on ideas. The selected artists will also have the chance to build new working relationships with our mentor.
In 2023 local emerging creatives Alice Hu, Ellis Moseley, Abby Pumpa, and Anna Révész gave a collection of Stobie poles around Beefacres Reserve in Windsor Gardens, City of Port Adelaide Enfield, an eye-catching makeover.
This year the Stobie poles will be located in the City of West Torrens – around SA Power Networks head office in Keswick – and expanding the collection around Beefacres Reserve.
“An early stage in my design process was to visit the Port Adelaide local archives. 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 local high school’s science departments, and a baby crocodile named Sid Vicious… The final designs have a lot of free-flowing brush strokes and textures that reflect the intuitive nature of the painting process.”
Abby Pumpa
“Public art really connects and brings 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 both individuals and communities. It can evoke emotions, inspire creativity, and provide solace or inspiration to those who encounter it.”
Alice Hu
ABOUT CHRISTINE CHOLEWA
Christine Cholewa is an artist living in the Adelaide area who enjoys collaboration and working on public art. She does not use one material or one set approach when working on her art, rather she works with her aesthetic, skills, and material knowledge to approach each art opportunity individually.
Originally trained as a glassblower, Christine has had a shift in her artistic practice seeing her put down her glassblowing tools. Her artistic practice is evolving with a focus on natural materials like timber and stone. She explores stone carving, sculpture, dry stone wall building, and finds inspiration from time spent caring for the land around her studio near the Finniss River.
For over a decade Christine was the co-director of CHEBart, working within the public art sector in South Australia, and has significant experience working collaboratively and as part of a team with other professionals on large projects.
Recently Christine has been working with many different councils, companies and organisations in a project management capacity, to deliver a variety of projects from exhibitions to public artworks, developing public art strategies, and asset management.
KEY DATES
Applications open Monday 5 February 2024
Applications close Monday 11 March 2024 at 11:59pm
For activity between April and July 2024
BEFORE YOU START YOUR APPLICATION
Please ensure that you have read the Information for Applicants document before you start your application. You may also want to read our Grant Writing Tip Sheet here, as it’s filled with valuable advice you can consider when writing this application!
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Helpmann Academy (08) 7089 0720 / info@helpmannacademy.com.au
The SA Power Networks Stobie Pole Project is a partnership between the Helpmann Academy and SA Power Networks and is supported by City of West Torrens and City of Port Adelaide Enfield.
GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY
