A LOCAL artist will have her work featured on Karoonda’s ever-popular silos for the duration of the South Australian Living Arts Festival (SALA) this month.
For the second year in a row Loxton resident Lyn Anstey is one of many artists to have their art displayed on the Railway Terrace silos to coincide with the month’s festivities.
SALA is an open access, state visual arts festival held annually during August in South Australia, and this year will be the Karoonda silos’ very first exhibition, which Mrs Anstey said made it an “exciting time” for art.
“We’re short on places to see art so it’s wonderful,” she said.
“It is good to see a Riverland artist being recognised in this way.
“I think with the current COVID-19 (pandemic), it’s even more important for our community to come together and wherever possible, provide some entertainment and put some fun back into life.”
Four images from Mrs Anstey’s collection featured on the structures as of Saturday depict the native flora and fauna of the Riverland and Murray Mallee.
Mrs Anstey said she chose the quartet not only because they matched the silo requirements, but because they were indicative of where we live.
“My work reflects life along the Murray River, from children playing on the banks or flying on the rope swings, the paddle steamers that chug along, to the peaceful scenes of the mighty river red gums reflected in the ever-changing waters,” she said.
“My other loves also appear, native flora, our arid outback and beach scenes – places that touch my heart and make my arty fingers reach for a paintbrush.
“But it’s not just a photo, it’s an interpretation of our life through an artist’s eyes, (and) it’s always interesting to see how people have interpreted things differently.”
Mrs Anstey said during a time where it has been quite limiting where art can be shown, the project will have a significant impact not just on the town itself, but residents’ mental health.
“It’s good for Karoonda because I do think some people stay overnight and stay up to watch the art, (and) it’s good because once they’re in the Riverland, we can get them over their toes on the edge of art,” she said.
“I work with people through many workshops with mental health, and it just makes a huge difference.
“When they’re actually doing the art themselves and concentrate more, and just viewing the art, it takes them away to a little safe place they can enjoy.
“So having a place to go to and having a reason to get out of the house but still be safe and then view art, it just lifts your spirits and it’s a rather nice that I can do that for people – myself and other artists.”
Mrs Anstey’s art will be permanently projected on rotation every evening this month from sunset until 9pm.
Her art studio/gallery will also be open every weekend for the duration of the festival from 10am until 5pm, and on weekdays by appointment.