The Three Rivers

John Dowie AM

Situated on the southern end of Victoria Square/ Tarntanyangga, the Three Rivers Fountain is the work of South Australian artist John Dowie AM.

Its unique form represents the three main rivers that provide much of Adelaide’s water: the Torrens is depicted as a woman holding a swan; the Onkaparinga, a woman with a heron; the Murray, an Aboriginal man holding an ibis.

The female figures are a representation of the European cultivation of the land surrounding each river and the male figure is symbolic of the historical and continued Indigenous presence.

The fountain was commissioned by the City of Adelaide to commemorate the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh in 1968 to Adelaide.

Victoria Square/ Tarntanyangga, King William Street, Adelaide

Year Produced

1968

Materials

Aluminium and cement

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