Thread: The Wall at Derwent Bridge

In the 1970’s Greg Duncan and his brother started a sign writing business together between Berri and Glossop in South Australia’s Riverland. They quickly established a huge following as their signs were pieces of art and like no other sign that people had seen at the time.

Greg was always into sculpture, and you can read about his Tasmanian history on the net. You are right, Paul, his carving is exquisite and a visit to Derwent Bridge is a MUST. When Greg was two thirds way through building the wall, he was running out of available Huon. Fortunately, the Tasmanian Government recognised that they were about to have a national treasure in the State, so they bought enough Huon to complete the task and stored it exclusively for Greg to purchase as he required it.

His son, Danny stayed on in Tassie when Greg retired back to South Australia. As you said, Paul, Danny is a very good carver, too.

There is a large mural painted by Greg’s brother, Gary, on the under side of the bridge that links Goolwa to Hindmarsh Island near the mouth of the Murray River. Gary created quite a few murals that are on display at Berri. Quite a talented family.

Thanks Crunchie for the extra background.

I thought the son's name was Daniel, but couldn't quite remember for certain which is why I did not mention it before. He resides permanently in Derwent Bridge.

As I mentioned before I bought the set of three books, but have only just opened the first. It has quite a lot more information. For example the panels are laminated Huon boards 100mm thick. The carving is a maximum of 40mm in depth and each panel weighs about 250Kg. They were placed in position with chain blocks.

Regards
Paul

I've been there, I was just driving past on my way to Hobart, saw the sign, did a u turn and spent the next 2 hours going around 4 times trying to take it all in
Its an amazing work of art and a case of the more you look the more you see, the fine detail is incredible up close and back a bit as well

he also has individual exhibits which are mind blowing as well

every time I hear of friends going to tassie I tell them to make this a priority, even more so than MONA or the cascade brewery lol

Originally Posted by Hodgo

every time I hear of friends going to tassie I tell them to make this a priority, even more so than MONA or the cascade brewery lol

Absolutely Hodgo, but visitors should go to MONA too: Equally impressive in it's own unique way with the majority of it deep underground and quite challenging at times.

Regards
Paul

I add this to my bucket list

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Absolutely Hodgo, but visitors should go to MONA too: Equally impressive in it's own unique way with the majority of it deep underground and quite challenging at times.

Regards
Paul

I agree, I just found that the way the guys had carved muscles ,bone and veins and also the folds and textures of fabrics and similar was incomparable and very traditional

as you say Mona is very impressive as a whole and definitely worth the visit, some of the exhibits were very unusual and left me guessing

I've been to Mona 3 times and would probably go again
I would definitely go to Derwent bridge again to see the progress after 5 years and to do another 4 laps lol

Originally Posted by Hodgo

I agree, I just found that the way the guys had carved muscles ,bone and veins and also the folds and textures of fabrics and similar was incomparable and very traditional

as you say Mona is very impressive as a whole and definitely worth the visit, some of the exhibits were very unusual and left me guessing

I've been to Mona 3 times and would probably go again
I would definitely go to Derwent bridge again to see the progress after 5 years and to do another 4 laps lol

Hodgo

I have now flicked through the three volumes of The Wall and it is probably as complete as the sculptor intends. In the third volume he mentions that it took him 10½ years in the making. I think he would be interesting to meet. You should go back one day.

MONA is very different. There was one exhibit in particular that would confront. It is difficult to even talk about being of a large number of different women. I didn't recognise any of them!

Regards
Paul

We went through the sculpture wall a few years ago without knowing anything about it beforehand. To be quite honest I found the whole thing a bit overwhelming at the time. It is so unusual I think I really needed to be more prepared before I went in.

Interestingly the experience had dropped from my memory until I saw this thread. I went back and looked through my picture files to see if I had any record of going there and didn't find any (most likely because of the photo ban). I think they actually do a disservice to themselves in this digital age not allowing some personal use photography.

Originally Posted by Fuzzie

I think they actually do a disservice to themselves in this digital age not allowing some personal use photography.

The banning of photographs was introduced because Greg funded the whole project himself. He had to buy the Huon and construct the building out of his own pocket. He was often comissioned by the hydro and dam organisations to carve pieces for visiting dignatories, and he often swapped these carvings for more Huon that they had access to. Admission charges were very low and the sale of books and postcards helped him keep the project going.

Let's not forget, behind any busy man there's always a very busy and supportive woman, so Margaret has helped Greg all the way.

I mentioned in my previous post that Greg's son, Dan, is a good carver and his brother, Gary, is a gifted artist who also carves. They have another brother, Mark, who is a well known photographer in SA, based at Woodside. They also have a sister, who's name slips me at the moment, who is well known for her silk painting.

How can one family have so much incredible talent?

Yes, on my bucket list as well👍

We have been several times on our visits to Tassie, Greg's talent is incredible and best illustrated by the carving of the coat and glove in the foyer, indistinguishable from real aged leather.
A must on a visit to tassie in my opinion.

It certainly is an incredible piece of art. Well worth including on any trip to Tasmania.

cheers,

ajw