Silo art in south australia

Description

Discover the Stories Behind Australia’s Silo Art

Join cultural geographer Guy Robinson for a fascinating exploration of one of Australia’s most striking creative movements: the rise of painted grain silos and water towers.

Over the past decade, more than 50 monumental murals have transformed rural skylines across the country. But what do these artworks really mean? Guy invites us to look beyond the paint to uncover the cultural and regional forces shaping this phenomenon.

Are these towering canvases bold statements of optimism, communities signalling a new future beyond their nineteenth-century economic roots?

Or do they stand as nostalgic tributes, memorialising a fading past in landscapes where populations continue to decline?

Focusing on South Australia’s iconic silo art sites, Guy will delve into how these murals came to be, what they were intended to communicate, and how local communities have embraced, or redefined, their presence.

Come along for an insightful and entertaining session that reveals the deeper stories painted across our regional horizons.

Costs: RGSSA Members $5, Non-members $10

About Guy Robinson

Guy is a human geographer with over 50 years' experience of teaching and researching in universities around the world. He is currently an Emeritus Professor at Adelaide University and holds an honorary position in the University of Cambridge. 

Author of 17 books spanning a broad spectrum of research on rural development and environmental management, his next book to be published this year is titled The Forest Transition: Crisis or recovery.

His latest academic papers include work on community forestry in Central America, the renewable energy transition, rural revitalisation in China, and rural resilience in Australia.

Image: Silo art, Cowell, photographed by Fernando M Goncalves, 30 July 2020. SLSA: PRG 1766/13/11

FAQs

How do I get to the State Library by public transport?

The 'State Library, Art Gallery, Museum' tram-stop is just outside the State Library. There are bus stops close by, near the War Memorial on North Terrace. The closest train station is the Adelaide city station on North Terrace.

You can plan your journey via Adelaide Metro.

Is there car parking near the State Library?

The nearest car park is Wilson's Adelaide Central car park, 225 North Terrace, next to David Jones.

There is paid (metered) street parking along Kintore Ave and Victoria Drive.

Where is the wheelchair and stroller access?

Access to the Spence Wing first floor and the Mortlock Chamber is via the lift in the glass foyer entrance of the library.

There is on-street disabled parking available on the nearby roads. View more information and maps of Adelaide City Council's Disability parking for permit holders.

How do I check if the Mortlock Chamber is open when I plan to visit?

The Mortlock Chamber may close for private events, check our opening hours for any closure times.

When it is open you can visit the Mortlock Chamber on the ground floor to look at the exhibition bays.  The upper levels of the Mortlock Wing include  study areas.

Is there a cafe at the State Library?

Yes, the State Library Cafe is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm and Saturdays from 12 to 4pm.

Find out more about the cafe and resident organisations at the State Library.