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Hengrove Hall

This frothy beauty on historic Macquarie Street has caught my eye on several occasions. As a result, I have had finding out about its style and background on my "to do" list for some time. Fortunately, this building is heritage listed, so there is a substantial spiel about it on the  Office of Environment and Heritage website. Built in 1929 - 1930, the style of this nine storey commercial building is officially described as Interwar Old English. I was quite surprised to learn that it was designed at the height of art deco and not during the Victorian era as I had thought! However, I was also interested to learn that the architect Henry Eli White was also responsible for The State Theatre which has a similar interior decor theme (although much grander) with Hengrove Hall's Tudor doorway, puti, crowns and the like as seen above. The Office of Environment and Heritage also notes that the English Tudor manor house Hengrove House in Suffolk was the inspiration behind the Tudor doorway and the other elements of the exterior.

Out and About in Sydney in September/ October

Lots of firsts over the past couple of weeks! I visited West Head, more than likely for the first time, because boy! you wouldn't forget that view in a hurry (although I can't believe I haven't been there before). It's absolutely the most astounding view I've seen in Sydney for a very long time. Then there was finally visiting the Manly/ Queenscliff Wormhole, which has been on my 'to do' list for a while. It was everything I'd hoped it would be: a rough 110 year old hand crafted sandstone tunnel that goes through the rocky outcrop headland between Queenscliff and Freshwater beach. Following on from that there was the close encounter with a very young echidna who foraged about for food just in front of me and then came over and inspected my foot in a very enchanting manner. Other than that, there has been masses of wildflowers and plenty of birds building nests and singing.

Above, all fairly self explanatory: Mountain Devils very fit and out at the moment, flannel flowers, pink spider flowers and bees, a young active echidna, another variety of wattle, a pretty planting of white and purple statice accompanied by maroon daisies in a local park, a lady duck and an elegant white egret.

Below: red bottle brush, the 100 plus year old wormhole dug by local fishermen apparently. One of my favourite buildings in the city - the Grace Hotel. Did you know that this terra cotta clad art deco gothic beauty was used as a Pacific base by General Douglas MacArthur in the Second World War and has an escape tunnel in the basement that leads all the way to Circular Quay? I was lucky enough to see the entrance to the tunnel one Open Sydney in addition to the fabulous pent house that includes space in the fancy tower you see in this photo. Finally: bachelor buttons, sometimes also known as pinnk buttons - still going strong in parts of the bush around Sydney.    

Art Deco Sydney CBD Beauty - City Mutual Life Assurance building

I was lucky enough to actually go into the board room of this Art Deco beauty one Open Sydney day a few years back. It still had its original art deco interior wood panelling and light fixtures which still looked good some seventy odd years after they were first put in. I am not sure if all that still exists, but as you can see, the exterior is still a very handsome example of high art deco. 

It is heritage listed, and has a sizeable wikipedia page dedicated to its history and architect which is well worth a read. As for me, I am enamoured by the concetina-ed windows, the choice of materials in sandstone and polished black granite, the bronze details, and the Raynor Hoff bronze relief over the entrance. Finished in 1936, the architect Emil Sodersten was praised for the contemporary (at the time) design of this stylish building which still looks as lovely as ever today.

All information courtesy of wikipedia.  

Out and about - March/ April photos

Here are a few photos I've taken on my travels recently:

1) The GPO clock 2) the stylish Art Deco entrance of the State Theatre 3) the decommissioned historic wooden escalator in Wynard train station now preserved and displayed as art: the "Interloop". 4) a handsome moth on the Great North Walk 5) a night jar in the Australian Museum 6) an example of a common mushroom sprouting up everywhere recently - this one from Garigal National Park 7) one of many sandstone faces that adorn the GPO (now Westin Hotel) 8) a rainy day reflection of the palm trees along College Street.  

The Archibald Fountain - A Sydney Art Deco Beauty

One of the loveliest fountains in Sydney city is the very art deco Archibald fountain. Designed by the French artist François-Léon Sicard, this pink granite and bronze Sydney icon features figures from Greek and Roman mythology including Apollo, Theseus and the minataur, Pan, Diana and various tortoises, dolphins, goats, deer, dogs and horses. It is named after the keen Francophile newspaper proprietor and editor J.F.Archibald who commissioned the fountain to celebrate the French/ Australian alliance during World War One. Fortunately, I often get to walk through the delightful Hyde Park and admire this Art Deco gem.  

All information from here.

2018 Matou Drawings (Part One)

Here is the first part in a three part 2018 Matou drawing universe review.

First of all there were gals and their furry friends:

There was 1) Daphne and Arthur, 2) Elle, Pangur and Bam 3) Isadora and Iggy and 4) Daphne and Dennis.

Then there was a Medley of Mermaids:

Followed by Aloft in the Orchard, the Two Taylors (Part one and Two) and The Cat and the Camellia:

The Matou Year in review continues tomorrow.

 

Kitty Kong

Kitty Kong! Scary stuff!

Georges Lepape master Art Deco Illustrator

Four exquisite Georges Lepape art deco fashion illustrations from La Gazette du Bon Ton via Gallica.

Early April Cityscapes and two galahs

Above, one of my favourite buildings in Sydney city: The AWA (Amalgamated Wireless Australasia) building. It's a heritage listed, art deco beauty from the late 1930s that was the tallest structure in Sydney until the 1960s. More info from the State Heritage website here about its history and features. Below, the Queen Victoria Building, a pink (granite?) art deco building in York street (with roof detail below), an art deco facade with clock, a detail of the QVB pillars and ornamentation, and two galahs rummaging around in a local park.   

 

Out and About Mid March

Some photos I've been taking over the past little while with my 4S. Above, a pretty pink and green art nouveau building in York Street in the city. 

Above: A stylish, new, arched brick building in York Street that perfectly compliments the art deco brick building it sits beside (right). An attractive native something as seen on a walk in the bush. A streamlined moderne beauty in Riley Street and a mural in front of a classic art deco pub in Park Street