Back to Life

Date night re-established - walk to Bolt Bar for dinner.

Him Outdoors has gone to Bright to do the Four Peaks races. I have no holiday leave left, so I am at home going to cultural activities - Rep launch, two plays, a film and an art gallery - watching football, and a blood donation. The art exhibition was Flux by Euan Macleod, of which more later, but here is one of the images meanwhile. 

 

And here is a picture that Him Outdoors sent me from his travels.

Autumn at Work and Play

It's nearly winter, but the spot where I sit at work to have my lunch is still peaceful and scenic.

The duathlon kit for Him Outdoors has arrived, so I made him model it for me in the kitchen (and the hallway).

I went to the National Art Gallery to see the Gaughin exhibition, but also viewed some other art while there.

 

There is an installation called Te Paepae Aora'i - Where the Gods Cannot Be Fooled, which weaves together historical collections from the National Gallery of Australia with contemporary works from the SaVĀge K'lub collective.

The SaVĀge K'lub, conceived by artist and scholar Rosana Raymond in 2010 refers to the gentleman's club of the same name established in London during the nineteenth century. The capitalisation of VĀ privileges the Samoan notion of vā, a relational space between people and things central to Moana-based creative practices and protocols: primarily honouring the relationships formed during art-making. 

 

I like these fashion pieces, whose designer features definitely constitute art.

The seated IV draws on the artist's Kenyan heritage and experience as a migrant to the United States of America to explore the female form across many traditions. The gold disc that emerges from the figure's forehead - polished to take in light and reflect the viewer - resembles the lip adornments traditionally worn by women of status in East Africa. The seated IV is one of four caryatid-like female digures, originally created for the niches on the facade of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, which celebrate the power and potential of women.

The Seated IV (2019) by Wangechi Mutu

Outside the front of the building is a colourful work of acrylic and steel in a response to the Gaughin exhibition and celebration of the partnership between Mazda Australia and Art Exhibition Australia.

The notes for Colour in Motion, Mazda Australia read, "Paul Gaughin's work displays vivid colours brought to life through the radiant natural light of the Pacific. Mazda's Kodo design philosophy uses the power of light to create motion in every vehicle, even when still. Every curve crafted to draw out a depth of colour that changes with the light around it. 

"As you wander through the activation explore the way colour moves, shifts and creates new shades. Throughout the day, you'll notice how the natural movement of the sun casts unique reflections, making every moment its own creation." 

I had a fun evening out with the cast members of Dead Man's Cell Phone, where we played games, drank cocktails and talked of many things including relationships and dating apps. Here are a couple of the cast looking at what is 'out there' in terms of on-line connections.

In the morning we walked out to breakfast at Two Before Ten

And later in the day, we played with the cats in the sunshine.

Sydney Sister

Before we begin, a quick update on the to-be-read pile at the side of the bed. 

 

And now to Sydney. My sister was heading over to the UK again and had got the cheaper version of a flight, which included an eight-hour stopover in Sydney. This meant Him Outdoors and I went over for the weekend so that we could spend the day with her. The day we arrived, we went to the Flaming Galah Brewpub to sample their wares. 

Seeds of the Future by Lloyd and Jenny Kelemen

We then went for a wander through town to the National Maritime Museum where there was an exhibition of Wildlife photography (more of which elsewhere), and we admired the art in the foyer.

The Last Leg by Claire Bailey, 2006

Claire Bailey writes, 'the whole fabric of our culture is influenced by the migration of people arriving by sea'. In this sculpture, the Western Australian artist comments on three recent waves of migration. Her British parents were part of the great post-World War II migration to Australia. As a child she watched Vietnamese refugees arriving in bots that hardly seemed bigger than a bathtub. She has recently witnessed the desperation of boat people from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Last Leg comprises six boats (three of which are displayed here) crafted from twigs, rusted wire and the ballast tank of a lifeboat. In using brittle materials, Bailey encourages us to reflect on the fragility of many migrant vessels and the courage of all those who have embarked on these voyages. 

Waterside worker safety posters

Produced by the Association of Employers of Waterside Labour to promote workplace safety within the stevedoring industry, the poster concepts were devloped by the association, often in response to a rise in particular types of workplace accidents. The artwork and printing were done by contractors, in this case by Clem Millard, one of the artists of the Wharfies' Mural. Millward was a former waterside worker and union member. These graphic prints were designed to be displayed in the poster boxes that featured along the waterfront in the 1960s.

The Wharfies’ Mural, on display next to the Tasman Light, is an exceptional artwork and also worthy of a post all of its own. We mooched on through Darling Harbour to the Chinese Garden of Friendship (again, another post) and then to the little Batch Brewing Company Darling Bay taproom.

Located in The Exchange in Darling Square, this would probably be a delightful loocation in summer as there are lots of dining options nearby as plenty of different food stallas are also located within the building and the local laneways. However, it was winter and it was cold and wet, so it wasn't quite as appealing a spot to sit and relax, but we know we can come back later. 

We had dinner at Al Taglio in Surry Hills, an upmarket Italian restaurant featuring lamb ragut gnocchi, smoked chicken pizza with foam, and tiramisu in a glass. Delicious!

The next day The Weevil arrived so we met her at the airport and whisked her off on the ferry to Cremorne Point.

There's a beautiful walk out there through the gardens and by the shore, so we headed along to breakfast at Mosman Bay. 

We then carried on fortified to Sirius Cove Beach, with views across the harbour.

And we finished off with a trip to Freshwater Brewery, after which I regretfully took The Weevil back to the airport and waved her through security as she headed off on a plane to the UK.

In the evening Him Outdoors and I went to Staves Brewery, which was located down a rather dingy alleyway, and had a tasty curry for dinner. 

We started the next day with breakfast at Edition Roasters, where we sat down with our legs in a pit, below the floor level so it felt like sunken dining. A little bit of a strange experience, but very tasty food!

Once again, we stolled through town looking at the artwork, until we reached the Art Gallery of NSW for the serious stuff (in another post).

The Canopy by Jacob Nash

Archibald Memorial Fountain, Hyde Park

Frazer Fountain

We then enjoyed the Spirit of Art Noveau exhibition and, as Alphonse Mucha created posters for champagne houses, among other things, we felt it necessitated a glass or two of bubbles to appreciate the finer points.