The State Library of South Australia has unveiled it’s latest exhibition: ‘Cornucopia: Gardens and Gardening in South Australia,’ which celebrates the rich heritage of South Australia’s gardening landscape.
The exhibition is more than just a display of plants and flowers, showcasing South Australia’s rich gardening heritage where gardens are not just landscapes but living, breathing reflections of our past, highlighting how gardens are not just places to relax or play: they are important parts of our history.
A ‘cornucopia’ is often referred to as the ‘horn of plenty.’ Originating from classical antiquity, this symbol is typically depicted as a large, curved horn overflowing with fruits, nuts, flowers, and grains. It represents abundance, nourishment, and prosperity.
Over the years, the cornucopia has been incorporated into various cultural celebrations and art forms, making it a universally recognised emblem of bountiful harvests and well-being.
From the intimate connections of the First Nations peoples with the land to the intricate sanctuaries in suburban areas, and the majestic grandeur of vast estates, Cornucopia showcases the diverse roles gardens have played in people’s lives.
The two curators of Cornucopia are Mark Gilbert, the Exhibitions, Media and Marketing Librarian, and Isabel Story, Engagement Librarian. Both have delved deep into the library’s expansive collections to present a mix of material that promises to surprise and inform.
A much-loved photo of both curators was a woman hanging out washing on the Hills Hoist
surrounded by water. “You have to admire her determination to hang her washing out while standing on sandbags as the mighty Murray was flooding and lapping at her back yard,” Mark says.
Director State Library of South Australia Geoff Strempel is pleased to open the new exhibition and share more of the stories that have woven the fabric of our state.
“The exhibition is a celebration of nature, heritage and community and told with carefully selected items and stories from the Library’s collections,” Geoff says.
“Cornucopia is a must for all garden lovers but also for those with a curiosity about the past. Our younger visitors can also get involved by creating their own plant or leaf using paper cutting and folding techniques at our family table. We are looking forward to seeing our garden trellis grow with their creations.”
There is an array of treasures ranging from rare garden manuals, intriguing seed catalogues, and photographs to diaries, records narrating personal tales, and South Australia’s pioneering gardening and viticulture book, penned in 1843.
Silent film from 1947 by Hubert Wicks will also be shown, which is rarely screened for the public eye, and will transport viewers to another era. The film captures a past Flower Day, kids having fun, and the beauty of spring in South Australia.
Whether you’re a garden expert, history buff, or just looking for something fun to do, the exhibit has something for everyone.
“I hope people walk away with a sense of the pleasure that we can derive from gardens, whether we live in a grand stately home with manicured lawns or a tiny house with some climbing plants on a fence, and a stack of pot plants,” Isabel says.
The best part? The exhibition is free, so everyone can come and learn about South Australia’s gardening history without spending a cent.
The exhibition is open now and will continue into 2024. A public program of events, including curator talks, panel discussions and more family activities, will be released in January 2024.
WHAT: Cornucopia: Gardens and Gardening in South Australia exhibition.
WHERE: State Library of South Australia, Treasures Wall, Cnr North Terrace and Kintore Avenue.
WHEN: Monday: 9am-5pm; Tuesday: 9am-7pm; Wednesday to Friday: 9am-5pm; Saturday and Sunday: 12pm-5pm. Closed public holidays.
To learn more about Cornucopia: Gardens and Gardening in South Australia, click here.
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