River Markers

John Wood

Part of the River Torrens Sculpture Park commissioned in 1994 by Foundation SA (now Arts SA). River Markers by John Wood consists of three sculptures made from galvanised iron to reflect a material used by early settlers and show original species of flora and fauna that were prevalent along the River. This group of three sculptures was commissioned in 1994 by Foundation SA (now Arts SA). ‘The River Markers’ were part of a group of four sculptures placed in this area along the River Torrens. They refer to aspects of the environment prior to white settlement and offer an interesting contrast with the 19th Century layout of the surrounding Parklands. The first marker is a stylized version of the pacific black duck shown above water and stone. The second marker shows river red gum leaves and flowers with kangaroo grass and rushes divided by the sweep of time, the big headed gudgeon and the blue spotted goby. Galvanised iron was used to construct the sculptures because of its close relation to materials used by the early settlers.