Doris May Graham Memorial

Annabelle Collett

The Doris May Graham Memorial (2006) commemorates Doris May Graham (1912-2004), a Kaurna Elder known for her tireless work towards reconciliation. The Memorial was installed in Elder Park, Adelaide in 2006 by renowned South Australian artist and designer, Annabelle Collett (1955-2019). On the headstone of the memorial are Doris’s words of wisdom: ‘Trust was the start of it, Joy was part of it, Love is the heart of it.’

Restoration

In 2022, Artlab Australia commenced restoration works to increase the longevity of the Memorial and improve the presence of the Memorial in the landscape by the River Torrens. This was major treatment for original materials that had deteriorated from outdoor exposure. The project included building a new armature using materials with optimum longevity; removing, cleaning, adhering and replacing old tiles; and producing and glazing a custom tile to match the original tiles edging the memorial. Solar lights around the memorial were upgraded to hardwired LED alternatives, and the Memorial site was raised so it was slightly elevated above the surrounding turf. To reduce the risk of damage, Artlab built a Corten ring and introduced quartz sand around the sculptural elements.

About the artist

Annabelle’s lengthy professional career in fashion and contemporary art spanned creative projects, public art projects, exhibitions and festivals. Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes described her as an agent for change, and an integral part of conversations about Alexandrina’s transformation as a regional centre of culture. The Art Gallery of South Australia holds a range of her works produced from 1979-2017.

Elder Park, King William Road

Year Produced

2006

Materials

mosaic tiles

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