SALA Festival scrap art exhibition by Nathan Modra is off the rails

The SALA Festival opens tonight with more than 700 exhibitions and events, including one by Rockleigh farmer turned scrap metal artist Nathan Modra.

Nathan Modra with some of his SALA Festival art work at the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide. Picture: Matt Turner

Sheep farmer Nathan Modra is also an up-and-coming artist who has “upcycled” found materials from his family property to create the works for his debut SALA Festival exhibition, UPSCRAP!

It is among almost 700 shows and events in the 22nd annual South Australian Living Artists Festival, which will have its official opening at the Art Gallery of SA on Friday night and runs throughout August.

Much of 19-year-old Nathan’s inspiration came from his father Malcolm, who died two months ago after a short illness.

Malcolm showed his son how to weld together materials found on the family property at Rockleigh, near Murray Bridge, where they also grow wheat.

Rockleigh farmer and artist Nathan Modra with some of his SALA Festival work at the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide. Picture: Matt Turner

“We have lots of scrap metal on the farm and it just sits there – this is a lot better way to upcycle it,” Nathan said.

“My dad showed me how to do that, and we used to draw together a lot.

“I’m thankful … my dad always said to make the most of your opportunities, and I thought he’d want me to do this.”

When Nathan sought a venue through the SALA website, he was approached by the National Railway Museum at Port Adelaide.

“I think it’s a good venue to display my art – there’s a few pieces that look like they could be made from parts of a train.”

Rockleigh artist Nathan Modra with some of his metal art works.

Nathan’s exhibition features 55 figures which range from 5cm to 70cm in height, including his Flamethrower Warrior which is made from “nuts and bolts and the shears from a tractor”.

He is also inspired by the colour and vibrancy of work by the late US painter Jean-Michel Basquiat and Japanese anime-style artist Takashi Murakami.

Former Crows footballer Tony Modra is Nathan’s second cousin, and they have met at matches.

“We’re all Crows fans,” he said of his family, adding that he sometimes incorporates the team’s colours in his art works.

UPSCRAP! runs at the National Railway Museum from August 1-31.

Full program at salafestival.com