The Enigmatic Art of the Ross Bridge

Cover and back of a book titled "The Enigmatic Art of the Ross Bridge, Tasmania" by Jennie Jackson. The cover features a close-up photograph of ornate stone carvings depicting mythical creatures and faces. The back cover includes text describing the book's content and the author's background, along with a photograph of Ross Bridge, which is a stone arch bridge with carved decorations.

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The Enigmatic Art of the Ross Bridge

Enigma: Something hard to understand or explain, a mystery; a piece of intentionally obscure speech or writing.

by Dr Jennie Jackson

Paperback
Publisher: Forty South Publishing
Publication Date: March 2026
ISBN: 978-1-7643240-4-5

The Ross Bridge sculptures are one of the great enigmas of Tasmanian art. This bridge is unique in the world, with 186 architectural decorations carved in relief by convicts. It is an expression of defiance against the monarchy and the establishment; a rare, historic document written in stone. Some stones are poignant, bur many are subversive, satirical, cynical and lewd. They depict crime and punishment, home and separation, ever-present death and hope of re-birth.

Thanks to developments in photographic technology and easier access to archives, Jackson reconsiders earlier interpretations and explores the intrigue of these stones.

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AUD $50 + $12 Postage and Handling

Book cover titled 'The Enigmatic Art of the Ross Bridge, Tasmania' by Jennie Jackson. The front cover features a detailed photograph of a carved stone lion with a flowing mane and a carved face of a mythical creature on a stone surface. The back cover includes a photograph of the Ross Bridge with stone arches and reflections in water, alongside text about the book's content and author.

View the video recording of the Book Launch conversation with Jennie Jackson, Jan Dineen and Kathy Rundle.

To purchase a copy directly through this website, please fill in the order form and press the order button. An email will be sent from Jennie Jackson with payment details.