Two prominent artworks that have been erected as part of the Darlington Upgrade Project near the approach to Flinders University have piqued the interest of staff and students – and both of the large, silver metal sculptures represent aspects of important local Indigenous stories.

The pieces are titled purruna martinthi, which means “to cradle life” (located on the north-eastern corner of Sturt and South roads), and puru yuwanthi, which means “still standing” (located on the south-western corner of South and Sturt roads).

These artworks were created by collaborating artists Allan Sumner, who is a casual academic at Flinders, and Karl Meyer in association with Exhibition Studios at Edwardstown. The artworks were commissioned by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) and owners, the City of Marion and the City of Mitcham.

The Tjilbruki Dreaming – the best-known Dreaming narrative of the Kaurna people, based on a complex and multilayered story of creation, law and human relationship – is addressed in the puru yuwanthi artwork.

Tjilbruki is a pukiana miyu Ancestor, being of the Kaurna miyurna people and was from the time after the sea waters had risen and created wangka yarlu (Gulf St Vincent). Within the dreaming, Tjilbruki travels to the big camp at Warriparinga (Darlington), where he finds the body of his nephew and carries the body to the freshwater spring at Tulukutangga (Kingston Park). This multifaceted journey continues south of Adelaide to Cape Jervis at the bottom of the Fleurieu Peninsula.

The sculpture depicts Tjilbruki carrying his nephew’s body as he starts his journey toward Tuluktangga.

Explaining the piece purruna martinthi (to cradle life) artist Karl Meyer says “Water and fire are essential to living and giving life. The child form expresses strength and reflects the importance of family. The Coolamon acts as a vessel for family, fire and water, and is grounded in the big camp at Warriparinga (Darlington)”.

The artworks were installed on 16 October 2020 with attendance from the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Mr Corey Wingard, Mayor of Marion Kris Hanna, CEO of Marion Adrian Skull, Mayor of Mitcham Heather Holmes-Ross, City of Mitcham CEO Matt Pears, Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation (KYAC) Representatives, Kaurna Elders, Senior DIT project team and the collaborating artists.