Public art

There are many public artworks in the City of Tea Tree Gully. Find them all on your next walk!

Modbury – Civic Park

Mythical Monster
Martin Corbin, Adrian Potter and Lyn Elzinger-Henry, 2010

snake eys

Discover hidden doors and surprise details along the body of the beast that sleeps next to the Civic Park playground. Thanks to Helen Crawford and Lawrence Wilkes who repaired the work to glory in 2017. 

 

Vine Seat and Vine Bridge
Adrian Potter, 1997

vine seeeet

These artworks refer to the time that Modbury was a vibrant wine growing region. Grapes from the nearby Penfolds vineyards were included in vintages of Grange up until the 1980s.

 

Reconciliation Feature Garden
Council Staff with the Gully Winds Aboriginal elders group, 2010

reconcilliation

The reconciliation feature garden was initiated after Kevin Rudd’s apology to Aboriginal People in 2008. The garden reflects a natural theme and includes an arbour depicting falling bark, log seating, a leaf shape within the design connecting the two sides of the garden.
 

Seed pods
Gerry McMahon and Christine Pyman, 2019

seed pods

The sculptures depict the capsules of the silky tea tree (Leptospremum lanigerum), local to the Tea Tree Gully area before settlement. “It’s an abstract form, we’ve over exaggerated something you would typically overlook as a tea tree seed is very small” said artist Gerry McMahon. Lit from the inside at night, the lights allow the sculptures to transform from day to night.

 

Outdoor Seating Area and Murals
Scott Rymill Butcher, Felicity Wrangles and Polly Nicholls, 2016

outdoors

This shared outdoor space is loaded with symbolic meaning. The Ibis sits in pride of place on the library façade, fulfilling his role as the guardian of wisdom in Kaurna culture. Adjacent is an aerial map of the region and on the edge of the site an image of many faces represents the diversity of the community.

 

Once upon a Time Book Seat
David Engwicht and Community participants, 2017

once

Anstey the echidna is the mascot of the Tea Tree Gully library. The book seat on the grassy knoll references ‘Anstey’s Adventures’. We like to think the book is an account of Anstey’s first visit to space in 2017.

 

Fairy Garden
David Engwicht and Community participants, 2017

fairy

Duck, weave and balance your way around the beautiful Wilga tree (also known as Geijera parviflora or native willow). Made by the Community for the Community. The fairy garden continues to be maintained by volunteer fairies. Applications for the custodian roles are taken by the Tea Tree Gully Library each year in January.

 

Not an ordinary cross walk
David Engwicht and Community participants, 2017

Not an ordinary cross walk

Don’t be fooled by its understated appearance, this wombat crossing is not quite straight. The vivid stripes are a traffic calming device that are a little left of centre.

Construct
Fortrose, 2016

construct

This eye catching mural by Matthew Fortrose was painted in 2016. Named Construct, the work referenced the impending demolition of the building. Plans changed, as they sometimes do and the building was saved along with the artwork. They were both refurbished in 2017 for our continued enjoyment. 

 

Modbury - Tea Tree Gully Library

Butterfly (Forest) Mural
Mimby Jones-Robinson, 2016

butterfly

Have you ever wanted to fly? Explore the Tea Tree Gully Library and take a picture of yourself with the Butterfly mural by Mimby Jones-Robinson. Don’t forget to hashtag #ttglibrary #Mimby Jones Robinson

 

Library Foyer Community Art Wall

Library Foyer Community Art Wall

Are you a local community member or community art group? Exhibit your artwork in the library foyer and reach an audience of 1000 library users per day. Be aware this is a popular space so you will need to book in advance. For more information take a look here.

Modbury - Modbury Ave

Untitled Pavers
Project2Project, 2017

Untitled Pavers

Best viewed early morning and late in the evening when a shadow is cast – the text in the pavement on the southern footpath celebrates the importance of the rivers in the region. The names of local waterways have been etched in the paving along with two phrases, one in English and one in Kaurna, the language of the traditional owners of the Adelaide Plains.

The River runs through us and Pari ngadlulityangka (the river is with us). 

 

Modbury - Smart Road

Fence art panels
Paul Herzich, 2019

Fence art panels

The fence art panels on Smart road are the work of award-winning Aboriginal landscape architect and visual artist Paul Herzich, of Highbury. Each panel, featuring traditional Kaurna colours, has a story to tell, including butterflies feeding, kangaroos and emus meandering across the river and creeks, and ibis tracks in muddy banks while dragonflies hover.

 

Modbury - Reservoir Road Bridge

Fence Weavings
Annabelle Collett, 2016

Fence Weavings

This space is viewed by thousands of Obahn users and motorists on their daily commute. The temporary artwork was created as a suggestion for the future of this DPTEI managed space – what a great location for a permanent work of art or design!

 

Modbury - O-Bahn track, Linear Park North

Untitled mural
Order 55 and Kab 101, 2016

Untitled mural

Showcasing a combination of SA legends and local talent. Murals along the Obahn help reduce the cost of graffiti to the community. They also provide an interesting landscape for commuters, walkers and cyclists.

Untitled mural (Meadowvale Underpass)
Tarns One, 2016

Meadowvale Underpass

 Showcasing a combination of SA legends and local talent. Murals along the Obahn help reduce the cost of graffiti to the community. They also provide an interesting landscape for commuters, walkers and cyclists.  

 

Ridgehaven - Modbury Sports Area

Drift Seeds II
Aurelia Carbone, 2016

drift

Adorning the entrance to Waterworld aquatic centre. Look up and you will see this cool and calming artist designed decal.

Footy Figures
Aiyudot Khom, 2017

footy

From September 2017 to March 2018 Aiyudot Khom ran a 6 month long Community art project titled the Modbury Sports Hub Discovery Trail. This tape artwork of Footy Figures remains on the wall of the Modbury Sports Club as a legacy of the project. 

 

Modbury North - Solandra Reserve

Biodiversity totem poles
John Whitney + Modbury High school students, 2007

bio

Created at the time of the wetlands opening at Solandra Reserve. Ceramic tiles set into old railway sleepers depict the flora and fauna of the area are. 

 

Golden Grove

Golden Grove Arts Centre

Golden Grove Arts Centre

Golden Grove Arts Centre is a 329 seat theatre that presents and produces performing and visual arts, working with local and national amateur and professional artists and arts organisations. It is also a popular venue for hire.

 

Look Deep into Nature
Scott Rymill Butcher + Community participants, 2016

looko deep

This mural is one of several council run youth arts initiatives funded by the Attorney Generals Department Crime Prevention fund in 2016. 5 young people helped design this artwork that encourages visitors to explore the natural surrounds of Golden Fields Reserve.

 

Untitled mural
Tarns One, 2018

tars

Golden Fields Reserve is home to a well-used skate park. Tarns One worked with space users in October 2018 to co-design a mural for this well used community space.

 

Bronze Hunting Egret 
Silvio Apponyi - Original 1997, Replaced in 2016

bronze hunting

Located in the idyllic surrounds of Spring Hill Estate you will find these wonderful bronze statues by Adelaide Hills Sculptor Silvio Apponyi.

TeaBronze Kookaburra
Silvio Apponyi - Original 1997, Replaced in 2016

TeaBronze Kookaburra

Located in the idyllic surrounds of Spring Hill Estate you will find these wonderful bronze statues by Adelaide Hills Sculptor Silvio Apponyi.

 

Tea Tree Gully Historic Township

Gallery 1855
2 Haines Road, Tea Tree Gully

gallleyey

Gallery 1855 is a visual art space located in the township of Tea Tree Gully. The Gallery boasts a beautiful exhibition space and studio facility. For more information on workshops and public programs take a look at our webpage or read our blog. To keep in touch follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

 

Xanthorroea
Chris Murphy, 2017

Xanthorroea

At one time The Xanthorrhoea (or Yakka) grew throughout the Adelaide Plains and adjacent ranges. This plant springs to life after a bush fire so it symbolises the cyclic nature of regeneration as well as the generosity of nature when a people live in harmony with the land.  

 

Holden Hill - Holden Hill Community Centre

Untitled mural
Marra Dreaming with the Gully Winds elders group, 2007

marra

 
Holden Hill Community Centre celebrates cultural diversity and recognises the Kaurna people as the traditional owners of the land it is built on.

 

Growth mural
Sarah Boese, 2017

growth mural

Artist Sarah Boese, council staff and community members collaborated on this feel good project to refresh the face of Holden Hill Community Centre. The project aimed to create a welcoming feel and an informal gathering place at the Centre.