Friday 10 February 2012

The 'poof' factor

The past is an elusive land, that fritters through our fingers. The 1840 Sydney of Joseph Fowles has been no-more for eons. The Darlinghurst struggle-street of Henry Lawson has been botoxed into oblivion. The gentrified and bohemian Macleay Street of Kenneth Slessor has oozed into the sludge of the criminal under-class. So the inner glass-half-full that is me, hummed with positivism during the week when I encountered Jane Cooper Bennett, historical artist.

Having seen my photographic record of the Victoria Street AIDS mural, Jane invited me along to the opening of her latest show in a public exhibition space within St Vincents hospital. She had been asked to record the streetscape of the immediate vicinity prior to the construction of the Kinghorn Cancer Centre. A plein-air historical artist and a photographic footpath flaneur espouse similar urban streetscape values. We trawl the delapidated inner city recording what exists before the wrecker's ball calls 'poof'.

There is a Heritage Fair on 25th February at the Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh, during which Jane will be painting en-plein-air. Come along from 10am 'til 4pm. Watch her canvas tranform before your eyes. Experience the skill and artistry of the forgers of wrought iron. The past is gone, but not forgotten. We lament its passing, but celebrate its being.

12 comments:

Carole M. said...

a lovely opportunity for you to meet with Jane and see up close her wonderful art from yester-year; what will just become a memory one day; all in the name of progress....

Peter said...

Fantastic, a true artist!

Jane Bennett Artist said...

Thank you so much Julie! May our paths cross often in our journey through the lost worlds of Sydney's past glories!

Ann said...

That name rings a bell. I think I saw some of her work in one of the Sydney Open buildings in the King Street Wharf area.

Jane Bennett Artist said...

Well spotted! I painted the Hungry Mile wharves,the last cargo ships,the wharf demolition & the first stages of the Barangaroo construction.

Jim said...

Sounds like a terrific exhibition.

Kay L. Davies said...

Well met, Julie. There probably isn't much in Sydney that manages to escape one or the other of you. Great work, both of you.

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

Julie said...

Ann & Jim: come along on the day! We each have different photographic styles. Should be lots of grist for the mill.

Joan Elizabeth said...

Great promo for an interesting artist..

Ann said...

Have it in my diary, I'll see if I can get there, not sure if I have something on that weekend.

Jane Bennett Artist said...

I'd love to see all of you there at Eveleigh.

diane b said...

I would love to see her work if i livd in Sydney. You should have an exhibition of photos.