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

My photo
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 ASMA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ASMA. Show all posts

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!

Wednesday 17 November 2010

Beyond the Sea

Invitation to an exhibition:

'Beyond the Sea' 
: an exhibition held by the Sydney Heritage Fleet and ASMA, The Australian Society of Marine Artists.
Opening night : Friday 26th November 2010 6 - 8pm
Wharf 7, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont 2009
Opening night admission : $10
RSVP Friday 19th November : please call (02) 9298 3888
The exhibition continues until 12th December
Hours 10am - 3pm
Admission free on all other days except for opening night

 Donation to the Sydney Heritage Fleet
I am donating this painting - it will be raffled and all proceeds are being donated to the Sydney Heritage Fleet
plein air oil painting of the tall ship 'James Craig' at Wharf 7 Pyrmont by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
'The Tall Ship 'James Craig' at Darling Harbour' 
2003  oil on paper 48 x 37 cm


This is painted opposite Wharf 7, the  headquarters of the Sydney Heritage Fleet.

  My Paintings will be for sale in the exhibition at Wharf 7, Headquarters of the Sydney Heritage Fleet

I will be one of the featured artists in this exhibition as my paintings depict historic moments in the development of both Pyrmont and Barangaroo.
plein air oil painting of Sydney Harbour from the roof of the Pyrmont Power Station by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
"Pyrmont and Miller's Point from the roof of Pyrmont Power station"  1993 
oil on canvas 91 x 122 cm
Enquiries about these and other Pyrmont, Millers Point, East Darling Harbour Wharves and Barangaroo paintings:

This canvas was painted from the roof of the old Pyrmont Power Station, now replaced by Star City Casino.The pile of rubble in the centre is an old signal box in the Pyrmont Goods Yard, the 'Spanish Cafe' in Baz Luhrman's classic Australian film 'Strictly Ballroom'. The bright red ship in the background is the notorious 'Tampa'! 
In the early 1980's,when I first started to paint in Pyrmont, the building in the centre of this painting was the site of Pier 13, where so many immigrantss first set foot on Australian soil. It was still connected to Jones Bay Road by an elegant land bridge. Later Pier 13 became the temporary casino, was painted a hideous shade of yellow and the land bridge was demolished. Pier 13 has since been replaced by 'Workplace6', home of 'Google' and Paul Signorelli's restaurants 'Gastronomia' and 'Biaggio'.
 Curving under the bridge is the old Pyrmont goods line, built in 1916, which looped through Darling Harbour and around Pyrmont across Wentworth Park and beyond. At vast expense, this goods line was torn up and replaced by the dubious benefit of light rail.
I have painted Pyrmont's metamorphosis from an industrial wasteland to a media and entertainment hub over a 30 year period. I painted from dozens of business and residential premises, painting panoramas of the dramatically changing urban landscape from rooftops, chimneys, demolition sites and even the summit of the half completed Anzac Bridge.

I will exhibit some of my Barangaroo paintings in this venue,showing the area's exciting transition from a working port to the preparations for its transformation into Sydney's new cultural and economic hub. I have been 'Artist in Residence' at Barangaroo since the early 2000's, compiling an archive of all the changes and so far I've maintained my position throughout the area's change of owners. I was granted unprecedented access to paint this area as a working port by Sydney Ports Corporation, Patrick Corporation and P & O. Now I am starting to paint the demolition and construction activities at Barangaroo South.


plein air oil painting of East Darling Harbour Wharves - now Barangaroo by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
'Barangaroo when it was a working port-The yard from the port captain's office'
2007 oil on canvas 91 x 122 cm
Enquiries about these and other Millers Point, East Darling Harbour Wharves and Barangaroo paintings:

This is Barangaroo as it used to be as a working port. Compare this painting with the empty wharf paintings that follow. Jeffrey Smart, eat your heart out!
plein air oil painting of East Darling Harbour Wharves - now Barangaroo by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
'The empty wharf'2007 oil painting on canvas 100 x 122cm
Enquiries about these and other Millers Point, East Darling Harbour Wharves and Barangaroo paintings:
The 2 horizontal paintings were painted from the same viewpoint exactly 1 year apart.
plein air oil painting of East Darling Harbour Wharves - now Barangaroo by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
'The Harbour Control Tower from the Hungry Mile' 
2008 oil on canvas 183 x 122cm.
Enquiries about these and other Millers Point, East Darling Harbour Wharves and Barangaroo paintings:

This canvas was painted as soon as the wharfies had left.
While the wharf was still operational I would never have been allowed to paint here as it was far too dangerous. Forklifts used to constantly whip in and out, and there was a deafening alarm that would go off when they did. I had earmarked this spot for an iconic painting as soon as I arrived. 
The doorway frames the Sydney Harbour Tower, the bond stores and the quirky architecture of the heritage Palisade Hotel perched on the golden sandstone escarpment to perfection.

Monday 15 November 2010

Watch Paint Dry : My painting of the 'Classic and Wooden Boat Show'

plein air painting of the 2010 'Classic and Wooden Boat Show' at the Australian National Maritime Museum' by marine artist Jane Bennett
'Classic and Wooden Boat Show' 
2010 oil on canvas 31 x 61cm 
$2,000
Sold
Enquiries about similar paintings:
janecooperbennett@gmail.com


Monday 4 October 2010

Artist in Residence at the Maritime Museum

Watch paint dry!
 Plein air painting 
at the 'Classic and Wooden Boat Show'  
Marine Art Exhibition 
at the Australian National Maritime Museum,
16 - 17th Oct 10-4pm
An Update 
 
As well as exhibiting a few paintings, I'll also have some cards and small cheap works on paper available for sale.
Also - I shall bravely attempt some plein air painting at the Maritime Museum, close to the exhibition!
I will be there all weekend, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 4pm, rain, hail or shine.
Actually you will have to watch for quite a while, before the paint dries - I work in oils!  
I don't know how much serious painting I will achieve, but everyone is welcome to come and watch and ask me questions. I know, this just proves that artists are crazy. It would be just as sensible to set up my easel in the middle of Victoria Road in peak hour.(which I have nearly actually done- it was on the median strip not on the road itself, and it was on a Saturday morning, not actually a weekday peak hour. But it was in the middle of a rather lively anti- Metro rally, so near enough. The result was chaotic yet interesting.)
I expect to do as much talking as painting.
Most people haven't seen an artist at work - one little boy said with wide-eyed wonder that it was like seeing a real live dinosaur! Quite. 
Come along and say "Hi !"
Wordle: Exhibition at the Maritime Museum

Monday 27 September 2010

Marine Art Exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum

 Australian National Maritime Museum

I will be exhibiting these paintings at the  Australian Society of Marine Artists exhibition at the "Wooden Boat Festival"
WHEN: From 10 am - 4pm Saturday 16th October and Sunday 17th October 2010
WHERE: at the Australian National Maritime Museum
EVENT: Wooden Boat Festival
These are some of the paintings which I will be exhibiting on the October 16-17 weekend with the Australian Society of Marine Artists exhibition at the "Wooden Boat Festival"
The Australian Society of Marine Artists are a group of artists and others interested in marine and maritime art : painters, lithographers and printmakers, sculptors, model-makers and historians. Every painting style from traditional to contemporary, realist to abstract is represented : ships, seascapes, maritime history and heritage.
Plein air painting of the final departure of the 'Spirit of Tasmania 3" from the East Darling Harbour Wharves in October 2006.painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
'The 'Spirit of Tasmania' departs for the last time
from Darling Harbour' 2006
oil painting on canvas 25 x 31 cm
Sold
This painting is of a landmark in the history of Sydney Harbour - the final departure of the 'Spirit of Tasmania 3" from the East Darling Harbour Wharves in October 2006.
The 'Spirit of Tasmania 3" , (nicknamed 'Spot' by all the wharfies) was later sold to an overseas shipping line and I have heard that she has been renamed and is in use as a ferry in the North Sea.
The 'Spirit of Tasmania" numbers 1 and 2, are still in Australian waters, but their journeys are between Melbourne and Devonport. Occasionally they come to Garden Island, Sydney Harbour dry dock for repairs and maintenance.
The Sydney Heritage Fleet's tall ship, the 'James Craig' and Wharf 7, Pyrmont can be seen in the background.

The last journey of the 'Spirit of Tasmania 3'
It was an atmosphere reminiscent of the last day of school. People running around taking photos and swapping addresses. Manic excitement, regret, and a strange undercurrent of foreboding about what the future may bring.
To add to the sense of occasion was a touch of glamour. Added to the usual queue of cars and bikes waiting in the sun was a line of lovingly restored vintage cars, bound for a rally in Tasmania. In one of the many paintings that I started that day, I featured a green Rover and its patient driver in the foreground. I certainly had enough time to paint them as they were sitting in the queue from 9.30am to 2.30pm when they were finally allowed to drive on board. The Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, later acquired this canvas.
Everything that wasn't nailed down was hauled off and dragged on board. I mean 'Everything that wasn't nailed down' absolutely literally and not as a lazy cliche. I had been storing some canvases and easels in a little shed and suddenly had to leap up from my wet painting and rescue them from making an unscheduled visit to Tasmania. I nearly lost my cup of coffee which I had left perched on a concrete barrier when forklifts started to load all of the concrete onto the ship.
Plein air painting of HMB Endeavour from the East Darling Harbour Wharves.painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
"'Endeavour ' Tall ship race -Australia Day"
oil painting on canvas 20 x 25cm
A close up of the 'HMB Endeavour', one of the 'Tall Ships' making its way back to its mooring after the Tall Ships Parade on Australia Day 2007.
This was painted from the East Darling Harbour Wharves (now called Barangaroo) while the area was still a working port.
Plein air painting of the tug 'Karoo' from the East Darling Harbour Wharves.painted by industrial heritage artist Jane Bennett
'The Tug 'Karoo' 2006
oil painting on canvas 28 x 36 cm
Available

For more information see My Pyrmont page in this blog

Related posts

Looking over the overlooked-Urban decay in Pyrmont
To the Point
Wrong side of the tracks - Darling Island Bond and Free
Pyrmont Paintings past and present My Exhibition in the Australian National Maritime Museum
Paintings of Pink pubs - Painting the Jolly Frog Part 2 

2012 Classic and Wooden Boat Show at the Australian National Maritime Museum