Sorel Coward - Work In Progress

Karrarendi Transect (2026). Photographer: Sorel Coward.

Karrarendi Twenty Thousand (2026). Photographer: Sorel Coward

In reviewing my Karrarendi images, I could not help but notice a subliminal theme: oblique lines. Maybe because they are a little off-piste. In any case the above images were taken with my Hasselblad drone-mounted camera.

The bird's-eye perspective was taken from one hundred and fifty metres above the road deck (my Land Cruiser is the white vehicle at the bottom of the image).

The two photographs communicate that there are two vastly different experiences of this place. The first is that of those who pass over or pass through this place, in their cars, on trains, and as pedestrians.

The second is radically different: Karrarendi is also a place that people and communities come to and remain for a while. It is a place of belonging and togetherness.

Karrarendi Shadows (2026). Photographer: Sorel Coward

Karrarendi Landscape (2026). Photographer: Sorel Coward

Karrarendi is a place of different shapes and colours. Lots of straight lines intersecting with roundedness make for an interesting and captivating place.

Karrarendi Dancing (2026). Photographer: Sorel Coward

Karrarendi Express (2026). Photographer: Sorel Coward

Because of the rich vibrancy of dominating colours, I experimented with some monochromatic images. In both cases, there is strong contrast between the shadows underneath the road deck and the daylight beyond.

Karrarendi Kakirrai (2026). Photographer: Sorel Coward

This is Karrarendi Kakirrai. (Kakirrai is Kaurna for Red Kangaroo). I have deliberately increased the saturation slightly to emphasise the striking colours of this mural. Once again there are powerful horizontal, vertical and converging lines that point to the circle motifs in the mural.

One of the final images, "Karrarendi Kakirrae Flame", is a sister image to the one above. The distinction is that the latter was taken at night.

Two Wheeled Karrarendi (2026). Photographer: Sorel Coward

Karrarendi Ball of Steel (2026). Photographer: Sorel Coward

Karrarendi Underworld (2026). Photographer: Sorel Coward

Karrarendi is very much a shared space that includes a basketball court, a netball court, a plaza, seats, grassed areas and lots of differently shaped objects.

Karrarendi Still Night (2026). Photographer: Sorel Coward

Karrarendi Night Pillars (2026). Photographer: Sorel Coward

Here are some images from the night shoot. I was hand-holding the camera and using natural lighting.

I have engineered the mood here in post-production with warm hues and rich saturation. Once again, the images include strong oblique and powerful vertical lines.

If you look carefully at the image on the right, you will note a ginger cat who decided that the coast was clear for a night prowl, with cat-like tread.

Karrarendi Night Commute (2026). Photographer: Sorel Coward

Karrarendi Night Oblique (2026). Photographer: Sorel Coward

The image on the left is similar to one in the final three. The difference is that the train has actually stopped at Ovingham Railway Station. No movement or motion. The image has a stillness about it.

The image on the right is dominated by a constellation of oblique lines contrasted with the circle motifs of the mural. In the mid-ground is an object of multiple uses: seat, light, stage and with its strong geometric form becomes an interesting focal point.

Karrarendi Night Station (2026). Photographer: Sorel Coward

Without knowing for sure, it would appear that these are the values of the local Kaurna community. The value of "unlearning" caught my interest, for it suggests that part of being a First Nations person in Australia is the unlearning of the values of European colonisation, which resulted in the dispossession of Kaurna people from their traditional lands.

The warmth of this indigenous column is in stark contrast to the glaringly modern Ovingham Railway Station in the background.

Karrarendi Night Longitude (2026). Photographer: Sorel Coward

The image on the left provides a wonderful, longitudinal perspective from one end of Karrarendi to the other. In the far, far distance, you can make out Karrarandi Kakirrai on the far West wall.

This perspective also shows the gentle curve of the whole place and once again those powerful verticals. The ochre trusses also provide abstract leading lines.

More subtly, it is interesting to note the warmth of Karrarendi that contrasts with the cold, dark Winter's night. Karrarendi becomes evening more inviting at night!

Next: Final Images

Previous: Artist's Statement

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