Popeye turns into a ‘floating work of art’
A local artist has transformed the beloved riverboat with a new design inspired by the River Torrens.
Local artist Alice Lindstrom has given the Popeye a fresh design, inspired by the people, animals and plants of the River Torrens.
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Unveiled this morning, the Popeye’s new look turns the River Torrens into a veritable art gallery, with the design commissioned by the Ramsay Foundation and partners Guildhouse and Visualcom.
Entitled ‘River Tapestry’, Lindstrom’s design turns the traditionally blue and white Popeye pink.
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It is the second redesign for the Popeye, following last year’s commissioning of an artwork for the boat in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the birth of James Ramsay, one of South Australia’s most prolific arts patrons.
Lindstrom said the design was a “celebration of the life on the Torrens”.
“I remember being very excited as a child when I’d go on Popeye rides; now I’ll be able to take my own children along and show them my artwork on the boat,” she says.
“I hope that the artwork reads as a celebration of the life on the Torrens and enlivens the cityscape around.”
The artwork incorporates bronze metallic vinyl, neon tubing, collages and flags to highlight the Red Gum River Forest.
Lindstrom says the design works as an eye-catching pattern from a distance, while revealing a more detailed narrative on closer inspection.
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“The colour palette for the boat’s artwork was inspired by the rich, warm hues of golden hour on the river,” she says.
“As the sun sets, the sky glows with soft pinks, deep oranges, and vivid reds.
“I carried these tones throughout the design to evoke the beauty of that moment as well as contrast with sage and silvery greens of the riverbank.”
The artwork is also “deeply influenced by the topographical lines of the river, capturing its winding, serpentine form”, she says.
“I wanted to convey movement in the design and subtly reference the journey of the Popeye up and down the river,” Lindstrom says.
“By incorporating glowing lines into the design, the artwork reflects not only the physical geography of the river but also the journey that water takes as it moves, twists, and ripples along the Torrens.”
Ramsay Foundation executive director Kerry de Lorme says the commissioned work celebrated James and his wife Diane’s relationship with South Australia and the visual and performing arts throughout their lives.
“James and Diana were highly regarded benefactors to the arts community and to South Australia in general,” de Lorme says.
“Diana and James like to take a risk in promoting the arts, and they would have loved to see these local artists supported with such a prominent piece of art, which all South Australians and visitors to the state can enjoy.”