Image: Alice Lindstrom, River Tapestry, 2024. Photograph Sam Roberts.
With a hugely-positive public response to the first Ramsay Art Boat, the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation and partners are proud to announce the launch of a new South Australian artwork on Popeye I, on Karrawirra Pari/the River Torrens.
Artist Alice Lindstrom’s new Ramsay Art Boat, River Tapestry, celebrates the Torrens as a place where people, animals and plants co-exist, as a vital part of the history and culture of South Australia. As a place of cultural significance for the Kaurna people for thousands of years, Karrawirra Pari/the River Torrens, is a place of deep meaning and contemporary recreation.
The artwork incorporates bronze metallic vinyl, neon tubing, collages and flags to highlight the Red Gum River Forest.
Lindstrom said the design worked as an eye-catching pattern from a distance, while revealing a more detailed narrative on closer inspection.
“The colour palette for the boat’s artwork was inspired by the rich, warm hues of golden hour on the river. As the sun sets, the sky glows with soft pinks, deep oranges, and vivid reds. I carried these tones throughout the design to evoke the beauty of that moment as well as contrast with sage and silvery greens of the riverbank,” Lindstrom said.
“The artwork was also deeply influenced by the topographical lines of the river, capturing its winding, serpentine form. I wanted to convey movement in the design and subtly reference the journey of the Popeye up and down the river. By incorporating flowing lines into the design, the artwork reflects not only the physical geography of the river but also the journey that water takes as it moves, twists, and ripples along the Torrens.”
She said it was a privilege to have been selected to create the work.
“I remember being very excited as a child when I’d go on Popeye rides; now I’ll be able to take my own children along and show them my artwork on the boat. I hope that the artwork reads as a celebration of the life on the Torrens and enlivens the cityscape around.”
Commissioned by the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation and delivered by Guildhouse in partnership with Popeye, Arts South Australia, the K&S Langley Fund and Visualcom.
Images: Alice Lindstrom, River Tapestry, 2024. Photographs Andre Castellucci.
About the artist
Alice Lindstrom is an artist and illustrator known for her vibrant and expressive work, which spans a variety of mediums, including paper collage, papercut, painting, and drawing. Her style is a rich tapestry of influences, drawing inspiration from mid-century illustration, folk art, and early twentieth-century art movements. Her pieces are distinguished by their bold use of colour, decorative motifs, and a focus on character and expression.
Alice holds a Bachelor of Humanities in Philosophy from the University of Adelaide and a Bachelor of Design from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). Her early career as a theatre designer in Sydney informed her artistic approach. After returning to Adelaide, she completed a Master of Museum Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Art History at the University of Adelaide, further enriching her understanding of visual culture and history.
Alice currently resides on Kaurna land in Adelaide with her husband, two young children, and their two beloved cats.
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