Place of Reflection

Intended as a place to reflect, remember, pay respect, heal and come together, artwork ‘Place of Reflection’ is a collaboration between Aunty Yvonne Koolmatrie, a Ngarrindjeri weaver from the Riverland, and Adelaide artist Karl Meyer, with the artwork ‘Empty Arms’ sitting central to the site. An integration of art and landscape, the artwork and surrounds create a place of healing for members of the Stolen Generations and provide opportunity to engage the broader community to better understand past and present experiences. 

ES undertook the concept refinement, detail design and fabrication of the built forms, civil works, landscaping and planting, finishing, installation, and on-site and off-site management, while working closely with the Adelaide City Council and Wax Design to realise the artist’s vision. 

ES worked carefully to capture the fine details of the focal artwork; a mother figure with arms held out as if nurturing a missing baby. The bronze woven details capture Yvonne Koolmatrie’s open weaving technique and unique style, while the composition of the landscaping and surrounding forms were designed to invite visitors in to sit with her, prompting contemplation and reflection.  

Meaningful details were added throughout the landscaping, such as sculptural rushes to highlight links between the natural world, cultural life and rejuvenation, as well as footprints of Koolmatrie’s grandchildren throughout the ground works to provoke ideas of absence and a deep longing for children to return home, and rippled textures on the seating to represent water as an element of healing and cleansing. 

With the site intended to be used for fire, smoking and ceremonies, ES also integrated a corten steel coolamon to the centre of the site, emphasising the continuing cultural connections the site has today.  

Awards:

• 2024 AILA SA Award of Excellence (Small Projects)
• 2024 AILA National Landscape Architecture Award for Small Projects

Images: Brad Griffin Photography