Sea Stars now appearing at Port Noarlunga Jetty

A range of local sea creatures are now permanently on display at Port Noarlunga Jetty.

An artwork titled ‘Sea Stars’ has been installed along the jetty to celebrate the centenary of this iconic local landmark. Visitors can discover installations representing a fish, sea bird, Port Jackson shark and its egg, sea slug, abalone, starfish and a snorkeller.

This is the first of a City of Onkaparinga annual art commission to celebrate an event, activity or opportunity of significant historical importance.

In 2021 Wills Projects won the commission to create ‘Sea Stars’ and the artists envisaged the jetty as a timeline, with the installation of local sea creatures created in bronze and aluminium installed at intervals along the jetty boardwalk.

Wills Projects are artists William Cheeseman and Laura Wills, a collaborative art and design team based in Tarntanya Adelaide on Kaurna land. They have an interest in public projects and creating bespoke artworks and installations.

Their contemporary practice regularly finds them collaborating with communities, other artists, architects and designers to develop artworks for public space. William and Laura consider the artwork setting and relevant community when developing their ideas with an underlying aim to communicate diversity, inclusion and a sense of place.

Interpretive signage and a map linking to a dedicated website will be installed to accompany the new artworks on the jetty.

Council is now inviting the local community to get involved with this public art project by suggesting ideas for the next art piece which will be completed in 2022. This may include your local club or community group celebrating a significant milestone in their history, a significant event that is taking place this year or something else that has significant importance to our region’s history. The chosen idea will be developed into an artist's brief and brought to life through a finished public art or visual art piece.

The survey closes Sunday 15 May at 5pm and expressions of interest from artists will be open later this year.