from Lakemba to Surry Hills

Yesterday was too good to stay chained to the computer. Perfect blue sky and two things of interest on the
calendar - an open day at the Lakemba Mosque and the Surry Hills Festival.

I also wanted to show my book to show some of the people in Lakemba that I photographed.
If I didn't physically take it there, I doubt they'd ever know they were in the book. I could only find one
family so I decided to show other random people the book anyway - and photograph them having a flick
through.

Two worlds collide...

Part 1: Lakemba Mosque Open Day

Fairy floss and a jumping castle for the kids, tours of the mosque and all questions answered by
the "Ask Me" guides for the adults. Everyone was happy.


Harunur's hat


 




Islam opens its doors








ask me anything










the 'ask me' crew








little red riding hood










little red riding hood and her bro








Shahbaz, Koran cramming










Kadejat, from Ethiopia








Kadejat adjusts her sister's hijab








Shayma and Kadejat







Part 2: 52 Suburbs, the book, in Lakemba


I met Allen, Roba and their daughter Sabah 18 months ago when I took their photograph inside their
cake shop. They were delighted that their photo made it into the book - and could I please come back
and take some shots of their biscuits and cakes for their front window some time soon.


Allen and his family in print







Sabah, 18 months older



After leaving them I wandered down the main street and showed the book to random people. 



Lakemba literature :: 1








Lakemba literature :: 2








Lakemba literature :: 3








Lakemba literature :: 4








Lakemba literature :: 5







It would be great if the book made it into the local shops one day.



you never know







Part 3: Surry Hills Festival


From the land of veils to skimpy frocks and free flowing beer, Surry Hills. I can't give a fair account of the
festival as we arrived late and my daughter's patience was running out rapidly. Just time enough to snap
some people with the book before giving in to the tugging of my arm and retreating home.



Suburb No 17, Surry Hills :: 1








Suburb No 17, Surry Hills :: 2









Suburb No 17, Surry Hills :: 3






Suburb No 17, Surry Hills :: 4








Suburb No 17, Surry Hills :: 5







The book will be out in just three weeks time. So anyone who's pre-ordered should find it on their
doorstep pretty soon.



coming soon to a suburb near you







Back to processing images for the exhibition - made so much easier by the fact the clouds are starting to
roll in again and that perfect camera-friendly blue sky of yesterday is no more. Hope you enjoyed it 
while it lasted.

suburb No 17: Surry Hills

The first suburb in 2010 had to be the one that bears the very same postcode – Surry Hills 2010. 
Which was handy because Surry Hills is relatively close to home and there’s been no time to roam 
far these past few weeks.

My five minute research revealed Surry Hills to have endured a roller coaster ride over the past 
200 years.

In short, it goes something like this:

Cadigal kicked out in the 1790’s – British farmed the land – population explosion – crime-ridden 
slum – reborn by post-war migrant influx – gentrification from 1960’s to today. Now a vibrant suburb 
filled with restaurants, pubs, art galleries and the rag trade.

I’ve been many times before over the years but as with suburbs like Haberfield and Pyrmont, I’ve 
never really wandered the streets for hours on end, just for the sake of looking. I left with a much 
greater appreciation of Surry Hills’ history as well as its present day incarnation as a wonderfully 
colourful corner of the city…

Part 1: Red

Ruby red

 

red flower girl

 

it has spark

 

chop chop!

 

the colour of Asia

 

branch out (shot of house is from last winter - the tree is now in full green bloom)


 

or maybe not

 

let the battle begin

 

a classic check

 

the woman with the long black hair

 

Part 2: Gold

is everything

 

a gold mine (Bourke Street Bakery)

 

different religions (Bourke Street Bakery and St Peters Catholic Church)

 

time for a drink (Clock Hotel)

 

tropical Surry Hills

 

the bell

 

No 11

 

web

pink and gold

 

light streams in (Toko)

 

living walls

 

skinny lanes

 

but old spirits

 

Part 3: Green

green eyed 

 

no garden? just grow one on your walls : 1

 

no garden? just grow one on your walls : 2

no garden? just grow one on your walls : 3

no garden? just grow one on your walls : 4

some flowers can grow anywhere

 

hand-made (street art and sushi being made at Toko)


 

patina vs perfection

 

Part 4: Blue

protector of children :: 1 (Superman and the former Children's Court)

 

stick 'em up sister

 

Sagittarian?

chopsticks

Part 5: Black and White

the well-heeled mix with the downtrodden

 

window shopping (David met Nicole)

 

day of rest (Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church)

 

which way will the Hopetoun go? (music venue currently closed until further notice)

 

is he?

 

an old butchers, now serving cooked cuts of meat

 

black and white

 

protector of children :: 2 (Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and former Children's Court)

urban jungle

 

creator of crustacean art (Toko)

sun on screen
 

The beauty for me in Surry Hills - the way its tangled streets and lanes remain true to their history, 
peppered with handsome beauties that have seen better days but still stand tall. The street art that 
enlivens otherwise characterless walls. And the mix of residents, from seasoned old timers to fresh 
faced young hopefuls.

Next week - I plan on day tripping somewhere far far away. See you then.