Another trip to the city of Adelaide in South Australia, this time to pick up my new camera and to see the best Aussie band ever, Midnight Oil. These guys have been around for more than 40 years and on stage they haven’t lost a thing. Peter Garrett as a front man is the most imposing, dynamic character who at 64 years of age has more energy than I’ve ever had. The entire concert was a buzz from start to finish, every song a highlight.  The oils have always had political messages and I’m with them all the way.

We stayed in the city at the Hotel Richmond, (no caravan park this time) and not too much of a walk from the Adelaide Oval where the concert was. The city is stunning at night and worth a look any night especially along the footbridge over the River Torrens that runs through the city.

After the concert it was back to the hotel, via one of the many little bars in the alleyways, and along Rundle Mall, deserted on a Thursday night except for the iconic pig statues. The mall is also well known for the good ol’ Malls Balls, and beautiful old architecture of the Adelaide and Regent Arcades.

Next day meant time to try out the new camera in the city and visit the Art Gallery on North Terrace to see a couple of exhibitions on at the moment. The first I was dying to see was the collection of Paolo Sebastian gowns placed throughout the gallery amongst the artworks.  This display is presented in conjunction with Adelaide Fashion Festival and celebrates the 10 year anniversary of the label founded by South Australian fashion designer Paul Vasileff. Twenty of his stunning gowns are on display and are so ethereal they take your breath away.  This exhibition is on until 10 December this year, don’t miss it if you’re in Adelaide.

Of course the Art Gallery is an interesting place to visit anytime for its architecture and the artworks.

The other exhibition I didn’t want to miss was Tarnanthi which is a festival of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. This exhibition will be at the gallery until 28 January 2018 and has an incredible range of art from aboriginal communities Australia wide.

There are some huge paintings including collaborative works by women from 17 to 90 years, sculptures and ceramics. A major sculptural installation is that of suspended spears over wooden bowls that expresses the experiences and effect of atomic bomb testing, that occurred at Maralinga South Australia on aboriginal land between 1953 and 1963. So many incredibly beautiful pieces to see.

Do not miss the video work of aboriginal artist Reko Rennie where, in a darkened space you can sit and watch a beautifully shot video of him driving a 1973 Rolls Royce with a striking paint job through Kamilaroi Country.  It ends up with him creating in clouds of red dust, an art work in the dirt by doing doughies! The visual, combined with a soundtrack by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds is a mesmerizing feast for the senses.

Next to the Art Gallery you’ll find another example of the city’s old architecture in the Adelaide University Mitchell campus building which was officially opened in 1882. Just a baby in the historic scheme of things but impressive none the less.

Just a snapshot of things to do if you’ve got 24 hours to spare in the easy to navigate city of Adelaide.

Cheers

Glenys