Queenstown Entrance Marker August 17 2011

As we drive throughout Tasmania we continually cross boundaries between suburbs, towns and regions; demarcation points which are declared through the ubiquitous welcome or goodbye sign. Many of these signs share so many similarities in materials, construction and design that they could be made from the one homogenous template.

Each community, town or place has its own characters, stories, industries and community identity, so it’s natural to think that these traits can be reflected in the object which is the very first point of contact with visitors.

With this in mind we decided to differ from the conventional town sign template and engage with the community to create a fresh and new entrance marker for Queenstown.

A mockup image of the entrance sign.

The conclusion was to reflect the ‘working town’ characteristic of the mining community. Saunders Signs constructed the 4000mm x 1800mm tall entrance markers from 50mm thick steel with a rust-coated resin infill around the lettering. The steel directly interprets the town’s mining legacy, reflecting the weight, solidity and imposing nature of the industry. The metal was allowed to rust, matching the burnt-orange ochre of the Gormanston Hills and referencing the inclement climate of the region. This approach is a direct reference to the work of Richard Serra, whose fantastic rolled-steel sculptures dominate landscapes throughout Europe and America.

Two construction views of the entrance sign.

For inquisitive visitors two halves of an evocative c1930s poem by passionate west coaster Charles Witham are etched onto the back of each marker. Not every person who passes the markers will stop and look at the back, but for those that do, this is intended as a little extra bonus for their curiosity.

During the day the sky is seen through the letters on the Lyell Highway marker, and at dusk it is backlit by the setting sun. The intended effect is for a unique and memorable first impression of Queenstown.

Photo courtesy Hayley Strutt.