Riverton Light Gallery: Ron reviews the works in the Mid North region of South Australia

Don Bradman's achievements on the cricket grounds of the world are unparalleled. In short, he was a run-making machine, whose match winning feats helped shape our sense of national identity. And outside the Victor Richardson Gates at the Adelaide Oval the great man has been immortalised in bronze.

But imagine the sense of responsibility for the man tasked with transforming Don Bradman's slashing cover drive into a very public work of art. Talk to sculptor Robert Hannaford and you begin to understand the hours and hours of painstaking work that went into what was a very collaborative project.

Robert Hannaford, Artist: "He wanted the cover drive and I was very happy to comply because it's a great shot."

Robert, or Alfie, to his mates, is a legend of the Australian art scene. Despite his national reputation he refuses to veer too far from his country roots. Born and bred near the mid-north town of Riverton about one hundred kilometres north of Adelaide, Alfie is determined to give back to the South Australian region he loves, by establishing the Riverton Light Gallery in the main street.

Venture inside and you might stumble across marquettes for the Bradman sculpture - with a bust or two of the sporting legend… and nearby sketches designed to capture the physical dynamics of one of cricket's most exciting shots.

Robert Hannaford, Artist: "I tried to understand the dynamics of that shot. I remember when I was sculpting it I dreamed of it every night. I would go home … and I'd play the shot in the mirror … trying to understand the dynamics of the arm movements, the body movements."

What you see throughout Alfie's Riverton Gallery is what he's truly passionate about. On the walls are art works that tell you something about his life - whether it is the farm he lives on or the native flora he works tirelessly to preserve.

And on every wall, proof of his determination to get to the essence of things - and sometimes the most basic of things like an old rusting farm yard bucket and it's modern plastic hardware store equivalent.

For Alfie there aren't enough hours in the day to paint the things he wants to… or the characters for that matter. He's been in strong demand from the political and corporate worlds having painted Prime Ministers and captains of industry. But it's really the essence of the person, regardless of their status, that he's after.

For Alfie Hannaford they're either pet projects or major civic commissions, like his latest. This is Roy Reene or "Mo" as he was known to his legion of fans back in the 1920s and 30s. Mo was born in Hindley Street in Adelaide and Alfie's marquette is the forerunner of a much larger bronze piece, which will take pride of place on the corner of Leigh and Hindley Streets in the city next year.

Like Bradman, Mo was from another era - a different Australia. And like Bradman, he too helped define our sense of national character. Mo was an irreverent larrikin whose turn of phrase became a staple of the Australian vernacular.

Just call into the main street of Riverton and follow your nose to the woodfired pizzas. They're just part of a leisurely Sunday at the Riverton Light Gallery. It's open from 11am until 5. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au

Riverton Light Gallery
Main Street
Riverton
Gilbert Valley
Open Sundays 11am - 5pm

Published 20th September 2009