Loving memorial for Forest of Dreams creator
Flowers, leaves and gum nuts drape The Forest of Dreams artwork in Hurtle Square/Tangkaira, honouring its artistic creator Anton Hart who died earlier this month.
Blooms drape Anton Hart's Forest of Dreams work in Hurtle Square. Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily
Hart’s public artwork was created in 2003 to explore how the power of language can describe place. Now, family and friends are helping turn the word Dream into a living memorial for the respected artist and teacher.
His partner Paloma Concierta invited the community to “bring a flower from your garden for a final collaboration with the man we all treasured” – asking for an organic tribute rather than a plastic or florist-made offering until March 19.
The winding of string around his word ‘DREAM’ happened on Monday, February 20, just before sunset, “13 days after we learned of his passing into star dust from pancreatitis”.
Paloma has written her own words describing Hart on his social media Art page.
“He was not a religious guy.
He believed in all of us;
Me and the kids;
and all kids actually,
including every single human he ever taught;
in love;
in the power of beauty, design and nature;
in friendship; and in telling people
when they were wonderful.”
The City of Adelaide acknowledged the passing of the artist and educator, saying his iconic work “explores the power of language to describe place and is a legacy that has changed the contemporary landscape of our city.”
His acclaimed artworks are held in collections across Australia, including the Art Gallery of South Australia and have been exhibited internationally.
Anton Hart. Photo: Paloma Concierta
Bowden Brompton Community School also reflected on a community sadness in farewelling the art teacher who worked at the school from 1993 until 1998, who then returned to the school in 2018.
“Anton was a valued teacher and a genuine soul that radiated happiness to everyone around him. He will be sadly missed by staff and students,” a message to parents and students said.
Paloma invites others to collaborate with Hart one last time in a mindful community art project.
“Please bring a flower from your own garden and put it under the string. Then wind a bit more thread if you feel the need to secure your wishes better,” she says.
“Just wind thread around the letters DRE M- leaving the A for Anton.”
