Underneath the arches

Gerry Wedd

In this large work, numerous elements and themes are combined, drawing on the environmental history of the location. Located under the King William Street Adelaide Bridge, the tiles depict European fish such as carp (who have supplanted most of the now-vanished endemic fish species). Including other animals and creatures that once lived around this part of the Torrens | Karrawirra Parri before it was dammed. Another significant part of the tile design uses text and images from the children's book 'Who Killed Cockatoo' by W.A. Cawthorne, published in 1862, making it possibly the first children's picture book published in Australia. It is believed Cawthorne lived in the vicinity of the bridge. The tiles are also a nod to Islamic tile decoration with the blue colour of the tiles called 'Iranian blue glaze'.

King William Street Bridge,

Year Produced

2000

Materials

7,000 ceramic tiles, cobalt underglaze

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