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.

Monday 10 January 2011

Tugs, barges and Tall ships - Glebe Island, Jackson's Landing and White Bay

tug ''Edi' at Glebe Island Wharf opposite Jacksons Landing Pyrmont oil painting by artist Jane Bennett
'The tug 'Edi' and the OES barge at Glebe Island wharf'
 2010 oil painting on canvas 31 x 41cm
SOLD
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This tug escorted the OES barge to White Bay and then to Port Botany, where it is laying cables.
This canvas was painted at Glebe Island wharf, opposite LendLease's Jackson's Landing Development. In the background the yellow column of one of their apartment blocks pokes up like an impudent finger. There is an equally lairy lime green apartment block further down the road to match - their not entirely endearing local nicknames are the 'Lemon' and the 'Gherkin' respectively. Jackson's Landing was built on the site of the CSR Refinery and Distillery, which had operated on the north-western end of the Pyrmont Peninsula for over a century. A relic of these times, known as the 'Cooperage' can be seen directly in front of its fluorescent new neighbour.
tug ''Edi'  and OES barge at Glebe Island Wharf from Jacksons Landing Pyrmont oil painting by artist Jane Bennett
'The OES Barge with the tug 'Edi' at Glebe Island from the park at Jacksons Landing, Pyrmont''
oil painting on canvas 25 x 31 cm
SOLD

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The view from across the ditch.
This evening study of the barge and tug is painted from the park in front of the 'Cooperage' at Jackson's Landing.
tug ''Edi'  and OES barge at Glebe Island Wharf opposite Jacksons Landing Pyrmont oil painting by artist Jane Bennett
'Dawn -The tug 'Edi' at Glebe Island wharf '
2010 oil painting on canvas 25 x 51cm
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Sunrise, with the tug docked in front of the Anzac Bridge. 
The grey apartment block in front of its eastern pylon, catching reflections of the rose pink dawn clouds, is the strangely named 'evolve' building. I hate buildings with verbs for names - especially in the imperative case. It sounds like a command - both patronising and presumptuous. 'Into what?' is the unspoken question.
The crew of the tug and the barge are making preparations for the departure to White Bay, and then, just as the song goes, they are bound for Botany Bay.
tug ''Edi' and 'Southern Swan' at White Bay Wharf  oil painting by artist Jane Bennett
G45 'The tug 'Edi' with the 'Southern Swan' at White Bay'

2010 oil on canvas 31 x 25cm

Sunday 9 January 2011

Two Ships in dock - Painting the 'Pacific Jewel' and the ex-HMAS Adelaide' at Glebe Island Wharf

In the dock*
*dock 1
1.The area of water between two piers or alongside a pier that receives a ship for loading, unloading, or repairs.
dock 2
1. To clip short or cut off
2. To deprive of a benefit or a part of something, especially as a punishment
3. To withhold or deduct a part from dock 3

An enclosed place where the defendant stands or sits in a court of law. Idiom: 'in the dock'
On trial or under intense scrutiny. (Definitions of 'Dock' courtesy of the Free Dictionary)


2 ships on Glebe Island Wharf- one under repair and one being systematically pulled to pieces, both literally and metaphorically.
After a problem developed in the propulsion system, the 'Pacific Jewel' had to cool its heels for quite a while, first at Barangaroo, then for over a week at Glebe Island and finally at Captain Cook dry dock over at Garden Island.
Painting the Pacific Jewel en plein air at Glebe Island Wharf painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Painting the 'Pacific Jewel'
en plein air at Glebe Island Wharf
Available
The engines had broken down and after a few days the cruise ship was moved to the Naval dry dock at Woolloomooloo on Saturday 30th November, unfortunately while I was at the Eveleigh field day.
When I asked a couple of blokes in overalls how long the repairs would take, one of them said that they had to move an item weighing about 45 tons to get to the broken bit. When I asked how that was going, they laughed and said that they had managed about 8 tons of it so far; about 37 to go.
Painting the Pacific Jewel en plein air at Glebe Island Wharf painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Painting the 'Pacific Jewel' en plein air
at Glebe Island Wharf,
oil painting by artist Jane Bennett 27th October 2010
Available 
Starting the new canvas. It was a sullen overcast day with very gusty winds. I knew it would be hopeless to try any painting on the open wharf next day. I didn't know how long that the 'Pacific Jewel' would be staying at Glebe Island. Nor did anyone else.
Painting the Pacific Jewel en plein air at Glebe Island Wharf painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Painting the 'Pacific Jewel' at Glebe Island
on 29th October 2010
Available 
I resumed painting on the 29th, which was just as well as the day after this, the 'Pacific Jewel' was sent to Captain Cook Dry Dock at Garden Island. I unfortunately missed this as I had committed myself to be "Artist in Residence" at the Eveleigh Field Day, and try as I might I still haven't mastered the knack of being in 2 places at the one time.
See my post in this blog about the Eveleigh Field Day
However I managed to catch up with the 'Pacific Jewel' a couple of days later at Captain Cook dock, courtesy of Eptec, who were also painting the ship.
White.
With really big rollers.
Painting the Pacific Jewel en plein air at Glebe Island Wharf painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Painting the 'Pacific Jewel' en plein air
at Glebe Island Wharf,
oil painting by artist Jane Bennett
Available 
When it started to rain again I didn't feel like going home so I went over to say hello to Chris and the guys and renew my acquaintance with the Adelaide. I was able to get a little shelter from the weather as they have containers and demountables.
The ex-HMAS Adelaide has been lying doggo off Glebe Island for over a year now. You can see it in the background of this canvas, to the left of the 'Pacific Jewel'.
The Adelaide has had a chequered career. Adelaide was the ship which intercepted SIEV 4 on 6th October 2001, which was the event that sparked the Children overboard affair
I have rather a collection of paintings of notorious ships e.g the 'MV Tampa'.  
Painting the ex HMAS Adelaide en plein air at Glebe Island Wharf painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
'The 'ex HMAS Adelaide' 1 year later
at Glebe Island wharf' 2010
oil painting on canvas 25 x 51cm
Available 

The seemingly never-ending saga of the poor old Adelaide continues. There's not much left of her to sink now! Almost everything that can be removed has been removed.
There is a huge gang of workmen clad in fluoro orange overalls ( excellent colour choice from my point of view - it is the complementary opposite to the pale grey-green of the hull) busy stripping her out, but there is still a 'Waiting for Godot' atmosphere hanging over this flurry of activity.
You see, we've been through this all before.
The vessel had been prepared for scuttling from its arrival in late 2009 to early 2010. Her mast was cut off so that it wouldn't become a navigational hazard once the ship was scuttled. Dangerous materials, weapons, systems and potential toxins were removed, and diver access holes were cut in the ship's flanks.
Originally the Adelaide was scheduled to have been sunk on the 27th March, 2010, in 32 metres of water, 1.7 kilometres offshore from Avoca Beach, until a literally last minute court challenge nipped this in the bud. Local stirrers campaigned to prevent the scuttling, with claims that the wreck had the "potential to affect tides and littoral sand drift", and that the "removal of chemicals and hazardous materials in the ship had not been completely thorough".
An appeal by the protest groups to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal three days before the sinking saw the project placed on hold. The case was to have been heard on 5 May 2010, but this was postponed until July.
On 15th September, the Tribunal finally ruled that scuttling of the ship could go ahead after the removal of canvas, insulation, any remaining wiring, (which allegedly may contain polychlorinated biphenyls) and exfoliating paint (which may allegedly contain red lead).
There will be another attempt to scuttle her in April 2011, but there are no guarantees that there won't be further court action to delay or even stop proceedings.
The suspense continues...


Painting the Pacific Jewel en plein air at Glebe Island Wharf painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Painting 'Pacific Jewel' en plein air
at Glebe Island Wharf,
oil painting by artist Jane Bennett
Available 

I'm usually the only painter on the wharf.
Other people are painting the ship too! White, and with really big rollers. Here is a glimpse of them at the top of the orange crane in the background. When I first arrived and said to the security guard that I had come to paint the ship, this is what he thought I meant.
Painting the Pacific Jewel en plein air at Glebe Island Wharf painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Painting 'Pacific Jewel' en plein air at Glebe Island Wharf,
oil painting by artist Jane Bennett
Available 
The 'Pacific Jewel' was officially launched with its present name at White Bay Wharf, only about 500 metres to the north, on 14 December 2009, less than a year ago. Originally christened the 'Crown Princess', she was built in 1989 and her maiden call was on the 6th July 1990. Her curved 'dolphin-like' profile was apparently designed by Renzo Piano. The 'Pacific Dawn', her sister ship, is also a frequent visitor to Barangaroo.
Painting the Pacific Jewel en plein air at Glebe Island Wharf painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Painting 'Pacific Jewel' en plein air at Glebe Island Wharf,
oil painting by artist Jane Bennett
Available 
Due to the ongoing repairs during October 2010, three cruises for October and November (to Vanuatu and Noumea, Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup, and Fiji) had to be cancelled in the start of one of Australia's busiest cruise ship seasons.
Painting the Pacific Jewel en plein air at Glebe Island Wharf painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Portrait of the artist at work
Available 

Painting the Pacific Jewel en plein air at Glebe Island Wharf painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
'The 'Pacific Jewel' at Glebe Island' 2010
oil painting on canvas 31 x 103cm.
Available 
The painting is completed.
This bit of bad luck for the ship was a bit of good luck for me. Normally a cruise ship is docked for a day or less, and the painting has to be small enough to be completed in the time available or the next time around. By now I have quite a comprehensive collection of 'Pacific Jewel' paintings from every conceivable viewpoint, several locations and at most hours of the day or night.

For more paintings and information about the 'MV Tampa':
See my Hungry Mile page in this blog
For more paintings and information about the ex-HMAS Adelaide:
See my White Bay Wharf / Glebe island Wharf page in this blog


Related posts


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:

Sunday 12 December 2010

My Exhibition at the Eveleigh Field Day

Exhibition of my paintings of Eveleigh Railway Workshops in Bay 1/2 Australian Technology Park on Saturday 30th October 2010

oil painting of Blacksmiths forge 'Wrought Artworks' Eveleigh Railway Workshops by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett

'Wrought Artworks' Field Day October 30th' 
2010 oil on canvas 41 x 51 cm
$2,400 
 Enquiries about this painting
janecooperbennett@gmail.com

Guido Gouvernor, The blacksmith of 'Wrought Artworks' is in the centre next to the Massey Air Hammer. 'Wrought Artworks' gave a forging demonstration that afternoon. I painted about 80% of this on the day; then came back a couple of days later to complete it.
exhibition of oil paintings of Blacksmiths forge 'Wrought Artworks' Eveleigh Railway Workshops by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Exhibition of oil paintings of Eveleigh Railway Workshops painted on site by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Enquiries about these paintings
exhibition of oil paintings of Blacksmiths forge 'Wrought Artworks' Eveleigh Railway Workshops by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Exhibition of oil paintings of Eveleigh Railway Workshops painted on site by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Enquiries about these paintings
janecooperbennett@gmail.com
The paintings are displayed in the corridor between Bay1/2 North and Bay 1/2 South - most appropriate as a few of them were painted just a few metres away.
exhibition of oil paintings of Blacksmiths forge 'Wrought Artworks' Eveleigh Railway Workshops by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Exhibition of oil paintings of Eveleigh Railway Workshops painted on site by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Enquiries about these paintings
In the background lurks the majestic Davy Steam press
exhibition of oil paintings of Blacksmiths forge 'Wrought Artworks' Eveleigh Railway Workshops by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Exhibition of oil paintings of Eveleigh Railway Workshops painted on site by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
Enquiries about these paintings
The chairs are for the residents and former employees and their families of Eveleigh Railway Workshops, who were invited to come and share their memories of the area on the day.
oil painting portrait of Blacksmith at the forgeof  'Wrought Artworks' Eveleigh Railway Workshops by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
'The Blacksmith, 'Wrought Artworks' ' 
oil painting on canvas 122 x 152 cm
SOLD 
$13,000
Enquiries about similar paintings
janecooperbennett@gmail.com


This is Dave, who is the blacksmith from 'Wrought Artworks' I painted in this canvas. Art imitating life!

Better late than never! I had managed to destroy the USB ports of my laptop, which cramped my style a bit when adding photos!