Why Darlo, a suburb seemingly familiar? Because last weekend when I went to a photography seminar,
it happened to be held at the amazing old Darlinghurst Goal - now National Art School (NAS) - and
I needed to go back. Despite having driven past that long stretch of golden sandstone many times, I had
never once set foot inside. In fact, I assumed it was part of the Court House - which made me also think,
I've never visited that grand old beauty either. So, once again, a suburb thought familiar turns out to
be surprisingly foreign.
it happened to be held at the amazing old Darlinghurst Goal - now National Art School (NAS) - and
I needed to go back. Despite having driven past that long stretch of golden sandstone many times, I had
never once set foot inside. In fact, I assumed it was part of the Court House - which made me also think,
I've never visited that grand old beauty either. So, once again, a suburb thought familiar turns out to
be surprisingly foreign.
To Darlo. Named after Elizabeth Darling, wife of Governor Ralph Darling (and 'hurst', an old English word
meaning wooded area). Long-time slum turned swanky, bursting at the seams with cafes, pubs,
restaurants, nightclubs - and some heavy-duty institutions aside from the Court House and NAS, including
the Australian Museum, Jewish Museum and St Vincent's Hospital.
meaning wooded area). Long-time slum turned swanky, bursting at the seams with cafes, pubs,
restaurants, nightclubs - and some heavy-duty institutions aside from the Court House and NAS, including
the Australian Museum, Jewish Museum and St Vincent's Hospital.
In fact, there's so much to cover in this large and jam-packed suburb (it includes the localities of
East Sydney and Taylor's Square, and extends all the way along Victoria Street up to King's Cross) that I
ended up leaving out large chunks. (I'll save them for when I do 52 Suburbs Revisited when I'm old
and grey!)
East Sydney and Taylor's Square, and extends all the way along Victoria Street up to King's Cross) that I
ended up leaving out large chunks. (I'll save them for when I do 52 Suburbs Revisited when I'm old
and grey!)
Part 1: New inmates of Darlinghurst Goal
The former goal now hangs art not people. NAS offers painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics
and photography - and a collection of wonderfully rotund, golden buildings built by convict labour
between 1836 -1840. (Last hanging, 1907. Sure to be haunted.)
and photography - and a collection of wonderfully rotund, golden buildings built by convict labour
between 1836 -1840. (Last hanging, 1907. Sure to be haunted.)
past lives as a goal then technical college, now art school
fabulous Freya
Jenny, Building x :: 1
Jenny, Building x :: 2
unless interestingly attired
Marko, Building 28
Building 28
Alana, the Library :: 1
Alana, the Library :: 2
light and shade
the girl with the beret :: 1
the girl with the beret :: 2
don't i know you?
off the wall
i'll never have a shadow like yours
playing with perspective
any ghosts?
4 means death in Chinese
Part 2: Court House
NAS may have liberated itself from its former role but its neighbour, the Darlinghurst Court House,
still functions as a place of judgement. Architect, Mortimer Lewis, 1844, in the Greek Revival
style (they loved a column didn't they?)
still functions as a place of judgement. Architect, Mortimer Lewis, 1844, in the Greek Revival
style (they loved a column didn't they?)
your future set in stone
judgement day
pillars of society
both been there forever
a certain kind of liberty
Part 3: The faces behind the sirens
The fireies and the ambos - where would we be without them? The ones based in Darlo are lucky enough
to call a heritage listed fire station and one of the city's major hospitals, St Vincent's, 'home'. It's hard
work but at least they're never short of good coffee.
to call a heritage listed fire station and one of the city's major hospitals, St Vincent's, 'home'. It's hard
work but at least they're never short of good coffee.
fire and ice
and took me to the hospital
stopping for coffee
halo
smiles to light up a room
fire-engine red lips
hearts of gold
Part 4: 100 metres of Oxford Street - a day in the life
Saturday morning, 8.30am, on her way to work
three sisters on a Hen's Night :: 1
three sisters on a Hen's Night ::2
three sisters on a Hen's Night :: 3
pals
Ferrari red lips
at Betty's :: 1
at Betty's :: 2
three stages of man
x 4 Danish
reflections
Chaos, his tattoo and his nickname
ready for a big night
Marie - heading home from a day at the races
no dancing tonight for Marie
old-timer
Rory - off to a friend's house
Indian on Oxford :: 1
Indian on Oxford :: 2
let the games begin
old school charm
Part 5: The morning after
even if you feel like a dog you need to stay calm and carry on
i'll grab you a coffee from the Arch
coffee and walkies
primary colours
coffee in a corridoor
cook on coffee break
Part 6: A car called Regal
You've probably noticed I have a soft spot for old cars. I used to drive an Austin 1800 - hardly a
classic but it had character at least. Character I found hard to appreciate when it broke down at
the slightest suggestion of precipitation but still. I now drive an anonymous car so find myself
perving at the delicious colours and strong lines of other people's old dears. One was a car called Regal.
classic but it had character at least. Character I found hard to appreciate when it broke down at
the slightest suggestion of precipitation but still. I now drive an anonymous car so find myself
perving at the delicious colours and strong lines of other people's old dears. One was a car called Regal.
nice type
where retro is always in
inside the Regal
flash
Part 7: Random bits of buildings
pastels :: 1
pastels :: 2
the Jewish War Memorial
1907
blue arches
neighbours
fine lines
brings to mind wedding cake
patterns
the view from Darlo
Beauty in Darlo... The grand and not so grand. The streets that support all walks of life. And those
charcoal drawings from great artists of tomorrow.
charcoal drawings from great artists of tomorrow.
I'll see you Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday.
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