Stobie Pole Art

Unless you have lived in the state of South Australia, you’ll probably be asking “What on earth is a Stobie Pole?” Well the Stobie Pole was invented over 100 years ago, in 1924, by James Cyril Stobie in response to a shortage of timber, and an abundance of white ants in SA.
A Stobie Pole is a power line pole made of two steel I-beams, joined by tie-bolts, and held apart by a slab of concrete. They have a life of up to 80 years, even when they have been rammed into like this first photo!

Tough Old Stobie Pole. Vehicle Would Have Come Off 2nd Best

In SA there are over 650,000 stobie poles. I live in the western suburbs of Adelaide where there is an abundance of Stobie Poles! I must admit they are not the most attractive things to look at as you take a walk. But one day someone came up with the bright idea of Stobie Pole Art, and thankfully there are plenty in my area! The main form of art is painted murals.

Finely Painted Stobie Pole – Hours of Work

But tiled mosaics are becoming a popular medium as well. And it’s the one below, just around the corner from my house, that stopped me in my tracks, and made me want to share these art works with you!

The mosaic that stopped me and made me go “Wow!”

So these poles can be real works of arts, but can also be playful painting done by kids and community groups, including myself. I used to be part of a Community Group that served coffee and provided bread in the community near Ottaway. One day we were asked to decorate a Stobie Pole that was just outside the Community Centre. We all decided we would paint our hands and plop them on this pole. Here are my beautiful green hands.

My Green Hands

These poles are always interesting to look at and admire. These days newer suburbs have their power lines underground. But if you live in an older suburb of Adelaide, go for a Wander. Explore your neighbourhood and see if you Discover any works of art on your nearby Stobie Poles. They really add to a happy atmosphere to the streets.

Click on any of the photos below and it will take you into a slideshow.