A THEATRE’S reputation as a “place of words” has inspired a public art installation which has transformed the entrance to Mount Gambier’s Civic Centre.
Adelaide Hills artist Cynthia Schwertsik has painted a series of words and symbols on the pillars at the facility’s entrance, which houses both the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre and the Country Arts SA Limestone Coast’s office.
Visiting the region last month as part of a three-week artist residency at the theatre, Ms Schwertsik’s stay culminated in the artwork, with the seven pillars painted in Boandik land colours before adding words inspired by the region’s history and current signage around the district.
The artist program also supported Dr Jesse Budel who last week officially unveiled an audio art installation in the multi-storey building’s courtyard which transmits live audio from the Naracoorte Caves.
Country Arts SA creative arts projects manager Merilyn de Nys said both projects were a result of Country Arts SA’s ongoing partnership with SA Power Networks, which aimed to connect artists and the community through the arts.
“Artists went on the 10-day Land Arts of Limestone Coast Retreat, but from there they did there own research and investigation,” Ms de Nys said.
“Cynitha has responded to the town environment and I think she has created a more welcoming environment which takes it away from being just a civic space.”
While touring the region, Ms Schwertsik said she immediately started to think about the difference between regional and urban landscape.
“It made me become more aware of all things I read and what your mind does unconsciously consistently,” she said.
“This is something which really inspired me for this project as the written words on the pillars is what my mind does to me.
“Out of all the things, I feel like I have only collated the words which I have found in Mount Gambier and things generic to Australia.”
With the project titled Town Thoroughfare Readings, Ms Schwertsik said it took some time to settle on colours for the pillars.
“I just thought they should fit in with where they are placed,” she said.
“I also thought they should be stark but also friendly together and also not necessarily harmonious.”
With a large focus on public space for her project, Ms Schwertsik said she enjoyed working around the thriving theatre.
“As a theatre space, it is a place of words and I wanted to work that in as well,” she said.
“Working in the foyer, I was in a way working outside as well as inside.”
Ms Schwertsik said working in a public space was about finding the fine line between something for the public and not a personal statement.
“There are many layers to it … I was taking the words which are in the immediate area and drawing them in to create a poetry around them,” she said.
“I would not be upset if somebody came up and wrote their own sentence on the pillar.
“It is their space, not mine and I am there to listen.”
Ms de Nys said she liked the pillars’ design as it added curiosity to those who walk by.
“From a distance you can only just make out a bit of the lettering which draws you in closer,” she said.
“It was something we thought was needed.
“We had been toying along with the idea for a while now, when Cynthia suggested she was interested we were all very excited.”
Riddoch Art Gallery Visual Arts Award 2019 winner Sean Fergusson also contributed to the project.
