Industrial Cathedral

Industrial Cathedral
"Industrial Cathedral" charcoal on paper 131 x 131 cm Jane Bennett. Finalist in 1998 Dobell Drawing Prize Art Gallery of NSW Finalist 1998 Blake Prize Winner 1998 Hunter's Hill Open Art Prize

About Me

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Sydney, NSW, Australia
I'm an Industrial Heritage Artist who paints "en plein air".If it's damaged, derelict, doomed and about to disappear, I'll be there to paint it.
Showing posts with label ferry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ferry. Show all posts

Thursday 13 January 2022

Tipping Point -MV Baragoola

“How did you go bankrupt?” Bill asked.

“Two ways,” Mike said. “Gradually and then suddenly.”

From the 1926 novel “The Sun Also Rises”   by Ernest Hemingway
Another version of "Hemingway's Law of Motion " is  by the  economist Rudiger Dornbusch:
"The crisis takes a much longer time coming than you think, and then it happens much faster than you would have thought."
It's a common human failing that we rarely act until a crisis happens.
The initial effects happen gradually.
Drip by drip.
It's not a problem...
Until it is.
One day 'Gradually' will always  become 'suddenly'. 
This is the tipping point.
I will leave it to others to recount the long, troubled history of the MV Baragoola.
The best  account I've found is in an article in the Manly Daily.
Plein air painting of Sydney Harbour from the ferry MV Baragoola by maritime artist Jane Bennett
Half finished panorama of Sydney Harbour from the Baragoola 20th February 2016 oil on canvas 31 x 153cm Against the staircase of MV Baragoola
About 6 or 7 years ago I was invited to paint on board by one of the members of the Baragoola Preservation Society. He talked about the possibility of holding an exhibition with the proceeds being used to help fund repairs. The ship was in obvious need of  massive amounts of work, but at the time, the volunteers seemed to have enthusiasm and a sense of purpose.
Plein air painting of Sydney Harbour from the ferry MV Baragoola by maritime artist Jane Bennett
Half finished panorama of Sydney Harbour from the Baragoola 20th February 2016 oil on canvas 31 x 153cm
This is the last painting I started on board the Baragoola, before her change of ownership.

Plein air painting of Sydney Harbour from the ferry MV Baragoola by maritime artist Jane Bennett
The artist painting a half finished panorama of Sydney Harbour from the Baragoola 20th February 2016 oil on canvas 31 x 153cm
A couple of years later I finally returned after dealing with a serious illness in the family, to find a change of regime. Instead of the previous volunteers there was someone described variously as either the new  "shipkeeper" or "owner".
The ship was in a far more dilapidated condition and the gangplank was frankly dangerous with loose and missing railings
I was welcomed at first, then gradually the behaviour of those on board became strange and then alarming. I desperately wanted to remove my paintings and easel, but I would have needed help across the ricketty gangplank- and I knew I wouldn't get any.
The terrible condition of the vessel and gangplank as well as my reservations about the attitude and behaviour of the recent occupants made it impossible for me to ever return to the vessel to retrieve my belongings. I wondered at first if I was over-reacting- until I asked several people if they could escort me back on the vessel, and they all refused, saying they wouldn't be game to set foot on board.
I kept hoping that people with expertise and unlimited funding would one day take control, but knew that this wasn't going to happen.
The half-finished canvas above, as well as my easels, paint and many other canvases went down with the ship. 
The mooring lines still hold parts of it in place, while the weight of water, tide and debris pulls the rest away. 
As I paint the wreck from the Coal Loader and the Cape Don, I watch  my old canvases lap against the boom with the other flotsam.

"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."
The last line from the 1925 novel "The Great Gatsby" F. Scott Fitzgerald

Monday 24 September 2012

Artist in Residence at the Sydney Heritage Fleet- Part 5 ' Follow the Fleet'

My first attempt to paint the entire Rozelle contingent of the Sydney Heritage Fleet ended in disaster when my canvas stretcher snapped in two.
I was better prepared for my second attempt, with a bigger easel, stronger canvas stretcher, more ballast and longer cable ties.
Armed with a canvas stretched on the strongest and heaviest stretcher frame I could buy, this time I took my "studio" easel. It might be called a studio easel but I can manage to stuff it in the back of the car and use it for plein air painting.
I brought the longest cable ties that I could find to tie the canvas to the easel, and the easel to my trolley luggage, which I am using as an anchor.
The canvas stretcher weighs about 10 kilos; my large easel weighs at least 15 kilos and the trolley luggage with all its contents of extra paint, brushes, palettes, turps, painting medium, sketchbooks, lunch, thermos of water, folding table, first aid kit, spare clothes, hat and boots weighs in at a good 25 kilos. I also took the French box easel, just in case. It took 4 trips to lug this stuff the 200 metres from the car to my painting site, and 5 to lug it back, as a wet canvas has to be handled on its own.
If all of that starts to be blown around in the wind and into the water it really is time to wimp out and go home.
I'll never need to join a gym or a bootcamp. Who knows, large scale plein air painting could become the latest fitness craze!

plein air painting of the Sydney Heritage Fleet from Blackwattle Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
My plein air painting of the
"Sydney Heritage Fleet from Blackwattle Bay"
2012 oil on canvas 122 x 183cm
Available

It isn't immediately apparent which bits belong to which vessels.
I tried hard to take a photo showing both the painting and all the ships in the same frame to show some of the difficulties.
Apart from the distance making details hard to see, there is a narrow window of opportunity to do any painting. I have to choose a day that has no more than the gentlest breeze, and has enough sun to throw some light on my subject. Even then, there are only a few hours of painting time between when the early morning haze lifts, and when the afternoon sun starts to dazzle my eyes.

plein air painting of the Sydney Heritage Fleet from Blackwattle Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
My plein air painting of the
"Sydney Heritage Fleet from Blackwattle Bay"
2012 oil on canvas 122 x 183cm
Available

Photography doesn't really work, as a telephoto lens flattens and distorts the relationships between the vessels and the colours are highly misleading. There is such a mad jigsaw puzzle of funnels, prows, awnings and lifeboats all jumbled together. Bits that belong to one vessel can easily be mistaken as belonging to another .
For understanding the close up details, I find it better to visit the Rozelle shipyard and run my canvas past the gauntlet of all the volunteers who have devoted their lives to rescuing these ships. If I've made any truly embarrassing mistakes I can rely on them to correct me. Loudly, often and in great detail!

plein air painting of the Sydney Heritage Fleet from Blackwattle Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
My plein air painting of the
"Sydney Heritage Fleet from Blackwattle Bay"
2012 oil on canvas 122 x 183cm
Available

In the centre of my painting, the 'Bronzewing' and 'Currawong', tugs recently acquired by the Sydney Heritage Fleet, are face to face like two old friends having a chinwag.
Crammed behind them, the funnel of the a coal-fired steam tug 'Waratah' juts out at a jaunty angle. 'Waratah' was built at Cockatoo Island in 1902.
After a lot of untangling. the steam tug 'Lady Hopetoun' appears shadowed in the background of the dilapidated hulk of the 100 year old ferry 'Kanangra'. The 'Kanangra' is another link with Cockatoo Island. I remember catching her in the morning when I was painting on Cockatoo island in the early 1980s. I think she was retired by about 1985.

plein air painting of the Sydney Heritage Fleet from Blackwattle Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
My plein air painting of the
"Sydney Heritage Fleet from Blackwattle Bay"
2012 oil on canvas 122 x 183cm
Available

Beyond the 'Kanangra' are the runts of the litter, the 1908 motor launch 'Protex', the 1943 motor launch 'Harmon' and the 1955 motor launch 'Berrima'.

plein air painting of the Sydney Heritage Fleet from Blackwattle Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
My plein air painting of the
"Sydney Heritage Fleet from Blackwattle Bay"
2012 oil on canvas 122 x 183cm
Available

To the right of the canvas is the graceful 1903 "gentleman's schooner", 'Boomerang', which I have just finished painting on the slipway at Noakes.

plein air painting of the Sydney Heritage Fleet from Blackwattle Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
My half finished plein air painting of the
"Sydney Heritage Fleet from Blackwattle Bay"
2012 oil on canvas 122 x 183cm
Available

All of these are dwarfed by the bulk of the 1927 steamship "John Oxley", currently being restored to its former glory.
plein air painting of the White Bay Power Station from Blackwattle Bay painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
My half finished plein air painting of the
"White Bay Power Station from Blackwattle Bay"
2012 oil on canvas 41 x 51cm
Available

By 1pm the changes in the direction of the light had made it difficult to see any useful details on the ships.
It was still about an hour before the wind would change, so I started painting a small canvas of the silhouette of the White Bay Power Station.
I have frequently painted this beautifully brutal building, from the inside as well as the outside. However I have rarely painted it from Blackwattle Bay, so I'm making up for this oversight.
The wind whipped up about 2pm, so both canvases are going well, but still unfinished. Till next time.

Related posts

Artist in Residence at the Sydney Heritage Fleet Part 1
Artist in Residence at the Sydney Heritage Fleet Part 2 : The 'Lady Hopetoun'
Slipping away
Artist in Residence at the Sydney Heritage Fleet - Part 4 'Blowing in the wind'
'From the Hungry Mile to Barangaroo'
"Lashed to the Mast" - Plein Air painting as extreme sport
Painting the 'Poolya' at Glebe Island
Jane Bennett paints the 'Lady Hopetoun'
Exhibition SALT IN THE AIR 27 April - 3rd May 2013 (asma-artistinresidence.blogspot.com)
Boat at Goat (janebennettartist.blogspot.com)


Wednesday 5 September 2012

Artist in Residence at the Sydney Heritage Fleet Part 2 : The 'Lady Hopetoun'

Painting the 'Lady Hopetoun' in a quiet spot in the 'Ability Barges' yard next to the Sydney Heritage Fleet.
As the 'Lady Hopetoun' was the first vessel acquired by the Sydney Heritage Fleet, it seemed appropriate to kick off my residency in earnest with her portrait.
oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500


'Lady Hopetoun' a classic Edwardian VIP steam launch  was built in Berry's Bay and launched on 10th April 1902.

oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500



While she was officially described as a vice-regal steam yacht, not all her duties were so aristocratic. She was used as a relief pay boat, for small towing jobs and even ferried the children who lived on Fort Denison to school.
So even though she looks very stylish  with her low profile, raked lines and graceful counter stern, the 'Lady Hopetoun' was really a workhorse.

oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500



On the left of the 'Lady Hopetoun'is flotsam and jetsam belonging to Ability Barge Services, who are the real workhorses of the present day Sydney Harbour.
oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm

$1,500


The hull of SS John Oxley looms in the centre of the background. To the left is part of the 'Kanangra', a dilapidated 100 year old ferry that the men's shed seem to have been restoring forever.
oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500


oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500










starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500



oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500


You can see how I've chosen as my vantage point a sheltered nook in between a collection of large rusty pipes. The weather might gradually be warming up and Blackwattle Bay looks deceptively calm, but on the waterfront there is still a nip in the air.
oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm

$1,500



oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
starting my painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500


oil painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
half finished painting of 'Lady Hopetoun' oil painting on canvas 36 x 46cm
$1,500


Related articles

Monday 3 September 2012

Artist in Residence at the Sydney Heritage Fleet Part 1


I am a member of ASMA, the Australian Society of Marine Artists.
In 2008 the Sydney Heritage Fleet in conjunction with the Australian Society of Marine Artists inaugurated an Artist in Residence programme. 
oil painting of SS John Oxley, Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett Almost finished painting of SS John Oxley
starting my painting of 'SS John Oxley
 2012 oil on canvas 36 x 28cm
$1,200

Enquiries janecooperbennett@gmail.com

 Usually there is a sole artist appointed to be Artist in Residence for a period of 3-4 months. However this time no less than 11 of the female artists of ASMA (Suzanne Alexander,  Jane Bennett, Monika Brookes, Marijke Greenway, Jan Harrington-Johnson,  Christine Hill, Leonora Howlett, Brenda Kitteridge, Gwendolin Lewis,   Elena Parashko, Jan Sindel-Hand ) have been given the opportunity to have a stint as Artist in Residence at the Sydney Heritage Fleet.
oil painting of SS John Oxley, Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett Almost finished painting of SS John Oxley
starting my painting of 'SS John Oxley
 2012 oil on canvas 36 x 28cm
$1,200
Enquiries: janecooperbennett@gmail.com

 Secure studio space has been provided on the top deck of the 100 year old ferry 'Kanangra', which is berthed adjacent to the Museum’s restoration and maintenance yard off the James Craig Road, Rozelle on Blackwattle Bay. The artists are given freedom of the site as well as other museum locations, to choose and record activities and the opportunity to travel in museum ships when they are operating.
As well as painting at their yard at Rozelle, we have been given the opportunity to paint the vessels moored at Wharf 7 and the Australian Maritime Museum.


oil painting of SS John Oxley, Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
With my almost finished painting of 'SS John Oxley'
$1,200

Enquiries: janecooperbennett@gmail.com

The first day was mostly devoted to exploring the yard and to receiving the necessary safety induction.
oil painting of SS John Oxley, Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
Almost finished painting of SS John Oxley
$1,200
Enquiries: janecooperbennett@gmail.com

However I managed to squeeze in a little painting time and nearly completed a small study of the 'John Oxley'.
See the ASMA blog "Artist in Residence Programme"
oil painting of SS John Oxley, Sydney Heritage Fleet by artist Jane Bennett
Almost finished painting of SS John Oxley
$1,200

Enquiries: janecooperbennett@gmail.com


There is a bewildering array of vessels to choose from - it's an embarrassment of riches. Some have already been lovingly restored, while others are still dilapidated and waiting for their turn.
 Although there are 11 artists, it will be a miracle if we manage to paint every one.
Our group of artists will hold an exhibition of our completed paintings on the 'tween decks of the tall ship 'James Craig', which is the jewel in the crown of the Sydney Heritage Fleet, from 27th April 2013 - 3rd May 2013.
The official opening will be 2pm on Saturday 27th April by Tanya Plibersek MP.
Everyone is welcome!

Tuesday 14 December 2010

My paintings in the Xmas Exhibition at Camden Fine Art Gallery :

My Paintings for sale in 'Sydney Harbour and Country Links'

My Paintings will be for sale in the annual Xmas exhibition at Camden Civic Centre (Undercroft), Oxley Street, Camden, on 14-18 December 2010. 


A preview of some of my paintings on display in this exhibition:

Sydney Harbour Ferries

marne art, Sydney Harbour Bridge with Sydney ferry 'Charlotte'  oil painting by artist Jane Bennett
The 'Charlotte' arriving at Milson's Point Jetty 
2009  oil painting on canvas 25 x 25cm
Sold
Enquiries about similar paintings:
janecooperbennett@gmail.com
marne art, Sydney Harbour Bridge with Sydney ferry 'Charlotte'  oil painting by artist Jane Bennett
The 'Charlotte' departing from Milson's Point Jetty 
2009  oil painting on canvas 25 x 25cm 
Sold
Enquiries about similar paintings:
janecooperbennett@gmail.com

Sydney Harbour Bridge by day and night

'Sydney Harbour Bridge Panorama- day' 
2009 oil painting on canvas 31 x 61cm
Sold
Enquiries about similar paintings:
janecooperbennett@gmail.com
'Sydney Harbour Panorama- evening' 
2009 oil painting on canvas 31 x 61cm
Enquiries about this painting:
janecooperbennett@gmail.com
"Some pubs with no beer"

Paintings of 2 ex-pubs, once favourite wharfie watering holes at the northern end of Harris st, Pyrmont. The 'Pyrmont Arms' has now been redeveloped as an apartment complex and a boutique wine cellar. The aptly named 'Terminus' remains abandoned and derelict to this day.
 
streetscape, old pub in Pyrmont, 'Pyrmont Arms', oil painting by artist Jane Bennett
'The Pyrmont Arms from the roof of the C.S.R.' 
1990  oil on canvas 31 x 31 cm
Enquiries about this painting:
janecooperbennett@gmail.com


Painted from the roof of the CSR Boilerhouse, CSR Refinery, Pyrmont. This was during the 'Pyrmont Arms' Hotel's last days as a working pub.
streetscape, old pub in Pyrmont, 'Pyrmont Arms', oil painting by artist Jane Bennett
The ex- pub 'The Pyrmont Arms' 
1992  oil on canvas 31 x 31 cm
Enquiries about this painting:
janecooperbennett@gmail.com

A later chapter in the afterlife of this shabby old pub. Also painted from the roof of the CSR Boilerhouse, CSR Refinery, Pyrmont.
streetscape, old pub in Pyrmont, 'Pyrmont Arms', oil painting by artist Jane Bennett
'The ex- pub 'The Pyrmont Arms' from the CSR Boiler house' 1992 oil painting on canvas 40 x 80 cm
Enquiries about this painting:

This was also painted from the roof of the CSR Boilerhouse, CSR Refinery, Pyrmont. In the foreground are the rusty tin roofs of Bond Stores (now replaced by "Sanctuary Sanatorium') and the CSR Chem labs (now replaced by a vacant block, awaiting development of the last block of Jackson's Landing by Lendlease)
streetscape, old pub in Pyrmont, 'Terminus Hotel', oil painting by artist Jane Bennett
'The Terminus- pub with no beer' 
2010  oil on canvas 31 x 31 cm
SoldEnquiries about similar paintings:
janecooperbennett@gmail.com
Once a notorious bikie HQ, this picturesque vine covered ruin on the corner of John and Harris streets has been derelict since 1992.
The rumour mill has it that the Terminus was closed after the only son of the manager was shot. I have heard that it is owned by an odd couple with a penchant for collecting a portfolio of down at heel properties in similar condition, which to this date have not yet been redeveloped.
Why it has been derelict for 18 years remains a disquieting mystery.

For more information about my Pyrmont paintings :
My Pyrmont page in this blog 

 Update
This exhibition has now closed
Enquiries about my paintings: