The word ‘Yerrakartarta’ is a Kaurna word meaning 'at random' or 'without design'. This work reflects the seemingly random order of the natural world and consists of various sculptural elements set within the pavement and surrounding walls. The work incorporates fossil-like animal forms, representing the history of the land and includes a large ceramic mural about the Tjillbruke Dreaming story.
The vision for the Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation Aboriginal Art Collection is to create a unique collection of contemporary Australian Aboriginal art, post 1970 (since the construction of the Adelaide Festival Centre), which acknowledges, celebrates and honours South Australian and national Australian Aboriginal cultures, stories and people. The Adelaide City Council provided funding over a five-year period to enable teh Adelaide Festival Centre Trust to build a substantial Aboriginal art collection.
In 1992, a tree was planted in Victoria Square / Tarndanyangga to acknowledge the 25th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, which amended discriminatory clauses of Australia's constitution.
The Aboriginal flag, designed by Harold Thomas, a Luritji man, was first flown in Victoria Square / Tarndanyangga in July 1971 at a land rights rally.
Located at the Adelaide Festival Centre, Trevor Nickolls' untitled mural painting uses Aboriginal art techniques of cross hatching and dot painting, blended with contemporary western technique.
Adelaide Festival Centre,
Adelaide