The Sydney Open will be held next Sunday. For just one day a year, the secrets of
Sydney’s most treasured and architecturally significant buildings are revealed to the public.
So, in the spirit of this event, I decided to paint one of Sydney's most beautiful sandstone buildings.
Although it was difficult, bordering on the impossible,I managed to set up an easel and paint 'en plein air' right in the heart of the CBD.
So, in the spirit of this event, I decided to paint one of Sydney's most beautiful sandstone buildings.
Although it was difficult, bordering on the impossible,I managed to set up an easel and paint 'en plein air' right in the heart of the CBD.
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| Plein air painting of the "Justice and Police Museum" 2015 oil on canvas 13 x 18cm |
The Justice and
Police Museum is one of the city's most overlooked heritage gems. It is hidden away on the quiet leafy corner of Phillip and Albert Streets, a stone's throw from Circular Quay.
It was a tight squeeze for the bendy bus!
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It incorporates the old Water Police Court (1856), designed by
Edmund Blacket; the Water Police Station (1858), attributed to Alexander
Dawson and the Police Court (1886), designed by James Barnet.
The complex had remained in use as a police station as late as 1985, when the area was a busy legal hub.
Today the museum tells the story of the seamy side of Sydney’s past.
The complex had remained in use as a police station as late as 1985, when the area was a busy legal hub.
Today the museum tells the story of the seamy side of Sydney’s past.
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The golden sandstone, graceful columns and dappled shade give a deceptive impression.
Behind the elegant facade lurk dingy 1890s holding cells, offices, charge room and courts. A century of underworld Sydney is contained inside.
Behind the elegant facade lurk dingy 1890s holding cells, offices, charge room and courts. A century of underworld Sydney is contained inside.
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The guilty, the innocent and the unknown.
Mug shots of
bushrangers, sly groggers, drifters, razor gangs and "colourful racing identities" rub shoulders with cops and judges.
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So very Sydney.
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