Artist, James Parker, used nature as his inspiration and explored a wide range of treasures from different cultures and folklore to create the golden treasures you can find around the zoo and park these school holidays. Each treasure is depicted underneath the rainbow, representing the Irish folklore saying, ‘Gold under the Rainbow’.
James Parker is a Multi-disciplined Artist who works primarily as an Artist in residence within the public and private school systems. He also has his own visual arts practise and has been exhibiting since 1997 concentrating on drawing, printmaking, and bookmaking He also works with both the film and commercial industries, and other adult and children’s organisations. He started his full-time arts practise in 1994 after years working in vineyards and shearing sheds: things that still inform his hands-on approach to art. He has worked with the Adelaide Zoo for six years designing and installing our annual Halloween event, Boo at the Zoo.
Caves are often associated with exploration and finding treasure. The artwork shows stalactites, which are mineral formations that hang from ceilings – a Geologist very own treasure.
Inspired by a mix of Egyptian, Japanese and Greek amulets, netsukes and ritual protective deities.
An amulet is an object believed to have certain positive properties that can magically be bestowed upon its owner. Ancient Egyptian amulets represented animals, deities, symbols, or objects in miniature.
Netsukes are intricate miniature sculptures that originated in 17th Century Japan. These were originally used as a solution to pockless kimonos, as Netsukes allowed them to securely attach hanging pouches. Netsukes were made from a range of materials such as bone, wood and ivory, some were even decorated with jade, gold and shell.
The pearl is an amazing treasure that is formed under the water by a living organism, a mollusc.
Pearls have been seen as a status symbol since the times of the Ancient Romans. Emperors, kings, queens, dukes, and princes, have all used pearls as jewellery at one time or another. Indeed, pearls were so hard to find that they were often more highly prized than most other jewels – such as diamonds, for example!
Pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is inspired by the Irish folklore of the Leprechaun. The Leprechaun legend refers to a magical kind of fairy that is initially tied to the Tuatha De Danann of Irish mythology. The Leprechaun is said to have been one of the first people to bring gold to Ireland.
Inspired by the Satin Bowerbird, these birds are renowned for decorating their nests with all manner of blue objects collected from its surroundings. To the Bowerbird all blue objects are treasure, including flowers, blue berries, butterfly wings and even artificial items like marbles, lids and pieces of glass.
You can visit the Satin Bowerbird within the Walkthrough Rainforest Aviary at Adelaide Zoo.
This artwork is loosely inspired by the famous shipwreck ‘The Merchant Royal’ otherwise known as the ‘El Dorado of the Seas’. The Merchant Royal was then believed to have been loaded with ‘100,000 pounds in gold and as much value in jewels’
The vessel eventually sank on 23rd September 1641. The ship’s anchor was recovered by fishermen in 2019, other than that, no sign of the rest of the ship nor its treasure has ever been found.
Inspired by the major Deities of ancient Egypt, these gods and goddesses were worshiped throughout the course of Egyptian history.
Over the years archologist have found many treasures hidden in tombs that relate to these deities, including a statue of Anubis made from wood and gold and golden wall paintings of Osiris.
Pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is inspired by the Irish folklore of the Leprechaun. The Leprechaun legend refers to a magical kind of fairy that is initially tied to the Tuatha De Danann of Irish mythology. The Leprechaun is said to have been one of the first people to bring gold to Ireland.
In many cultures, knowledge is treasure, and this is represented by the books. If you look closely, you’ll notice each book relates to treasure.
Inspired by dragon mythology that exists across the globe and spans various cultures and legends. Dragons are often portrayed as guardians of treasure, knowledge, and sacred sites. Their presence in these places reflects their role as protectors, ensuring that valuable and sacred things are safe.
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