I have two new reasons why Sydney is a wonderful city to live in.
Firstly, we now have food trucks. Which meant that yesterday, when Pete and I both had the afternoon free, we were able to pick Big Boy up from uni, drive to the Eat Art Truck in Pyrmont, and lunch alfresco in the sunshine.
If you live in Sydney, there is now a free iPhone app (simply called Sydney Food Trucks) which tracks the location of the food trucks at any given time…
Big Boy had the pulled pork with special barbeque sauce, and Pete and I shared the beef brisket with kimchee and chilli. They were both delicious!
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The second reason why Sydney is so fabulous: it has the White Rabbit Gallery.
You might recall that I’ve recently discovered that I love modern art. Our dear friend Roz is very knowledgeable in this area, and she recommended that we pay White Rabbit in Chippendale a visit.
The gallery is privately funded and free to the public. It houses the contemporary Chinese art collection of Kerr and Judith Nielson, one of the largest and most significant of its kind in the world, focusing primarily on works created after 2000.
The pieces on display are magnificent, and my iPhone photos don’t come close to doing them justice. Here are some of my favourites.
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Artist Li Hongbo works with the honeycombed paper technique traditionally employed in the production of Chinese lanterns and flowers. One of his creations was displayed at the Biennale exhibit at Cockatoo Island earlier this year.
For this piece, he and his assistants stacked and glued 30,000 sheets of paper into two large blocks, which Li then sculpted with an electric saw into two identical figures. This is the first one…
…and this is the second one, stretched out to more than 30 metres in length…
It was hard to capture it all in a photo, but here’s a closeup of a foot. When the exhibition is over, the extended figure will be refolded back into (almost) its original shape…
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This piece by artist Liao Chien-Chung of Taiwan made me smile and smile. At first glance, it appears to be a motorbike…
What it is, in fact, is a pedal bicycle.
The artist explains that as a child, he had always wanted a Harley Davidson, but could never afford one. So he did the next best thing and built himself a bicycle that looks like a Harley. The video which forms part of the installation shows the artist pedaling his creation around a park…
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When we walked onto the top floor of the gallery, I noticed that a television crew were filming a dynamic exhibit at the opposite side of the room. This sculpture was superimposed with a projection of the artist speaking…
I tiptoed around the other exhibits, trying not to disturb them…
It wasn’t until Pete gave me a nudge that I realised that the film crew were wax figures, and part of the display. They were extraordinarily lifelike (and to be fair, I can be a bit thick sometimes). Artist Zhou Xiaohu seeks to highlight media fakery by faking the media.
The White Rabbit guide (there are a couple on every floor) told us that when the artwork was initially unveiled, Zhou called a news conference, and many of the media attendees didn’t even notice that they were mingling with wax dummies…
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Young Mongolian artist Gao Rong created this reproduction of the entrance to her childhood home completely from padded cloth and thread (including the pipes, doors and switch box). All the rust, peeling paint and graffiti are embroidered…
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Dust is a full room installation with 210 tiny replicas of household items, handmade by artist Cong Lingqi, strung to represent motes of dust. The light creates shadows on the wall behind it…
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Finally, these woven wire sculptures by Shi Jindian grace the ground floor of the gallery. The jeep and the side-car motorbike are the result of hours of meticulous work, created by the artist sheathing all the parts of the machine in wire, and then painstakingly extracting them, leaving just the wire shell behind. The motorbike alone took three years to complete…
The detailing on both pieces is extraordinary – even the tread of the tyres has been reproduced…
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The White Rabbit Gallery is open Thursday to Sunday, and is located at 30 Balfour Street, Chippendale NSW. The entire contents are rehung twice a year, in February and August, during which time the gallery is closed.
There is also a tea house, decorated with old posters and bird cages…
…and a fabulous shop stocking all sorts of fun and quirky bits and pieces…
If you’re ever in Sydney and have a chance to pop in for a visit, I’d highly recommend it!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
WOW! This is amazing and so interesting. Thank you dear, have a nice weekend, love, nia
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks Nia! :)
The wax figures are stunning! I read about the food trucks in Good Living. If you don’t have a smart phone is there some way to learn where they are or do you just cross your fingers? :)
Rose, I’m not sure, but I think you might be able to follow the individual truck’s twitter feeds? This is the first time we’ve managed to track one down! :)
http://www.sydneyfoodtrucks.com.au/
easy to stalk this way :-)
What a great art exhibition. I love the reason and inspiration for the bicycle that looks like a motorbike. And that film crew looks so real – I’m not surprised you were ‘surprised’. And those food trucks are so good. I love the look of Big Boy’s pulled pork! xx
Charlie, the gallery is really worth spending an hour or two at – I can’t believe it’s free! It really is spectacular!
Great post – thanks Celia. I probably won’t get to Sydney for quite some time (living in Gippsland Victoria) but at least I can see it vicariously through you. Cheers.
Meaghan, thank you – that’s why I take the photos, in the hope that those of you who can’t get here in person can share it with us! :)
Great Art – hey those people look real, so I would think the same thing – ha! – thanks for sharing! Happy Friday:)
Thanks Renee! I think I was fooled for at least ten minutes! :)
Lovely collection, I too am amazed at how real the film crew looks. That motorbike is incredible, 3 years to complete, such dedication.
Norma, I would love to show it to you – such magnificent creations, and so culturally familiar too. The little tins on sale at the shop made me laugh – the artwork is reminiscent of the little exercise books my mother used to have, but of course, reworked tongue-in-cheek. :)
Great post, and reminder re the wonders under our noses in Sydney. I have the Sydney Food Trucks app, and must remember to consider it among the myriad of options. Ditto for the White Rabbit Gallery…
ED, there are so many dining options, it’s hard to get to them all, isn’t it? The White Rabbit gallery is definitely worth a visit!
I think the bike is pretty cool. I wouldn’t mind riding one of those! The wax figures sure look real. Interesting art exhibit. You sure have interesting things to see in Sydney!
Manuela, I wish I’d taken a video of the artist riding the bike – it was very cool. He couldn’t go very fast!
This is one very special exhibition. I could get lost in there, strolling from piece to piece. The works of Shi Jindian are literally spell-binging. The more I look at the photos, the more their intricacies are revealed. I’d be staring at each for an hour, if I were to be there in person. What a great way to spend an afternoon. Thanks, Celia, for taking us along.
John, I just couldn’t capture it properly in a photo, it was amazing. All the detailing had been picked up in the wirework, including the swirly tread patterns. I would have stared at it for longer too, but we were in a time limited parking spot!
I would love to visit the gallery, it looks amazing. Thanks for the photos.
Thanks Deb! It’s nice to be able to reciprocate just a little – I’m always going traveling with you through your posts! :)
That Gallery looks brilliant, in an intriguing way. Thanks for opening it up to us. I think I will have to visit. That second roll particularly, looks amazing, even for one who doesn’t eat meat..!
Craig, I think you’d love it! That’s where we were when you rang the other day – I’m sorry we missed you! xx
I like the pedal cycle the most :)
Tandy, I laughed out loud when I realised – I honestly didn’t pick it until I saw the video and read the blurb! Good on him, was all I could say! :)
My friend has urged me to visit White Rabbit! Looks like I have to-I adore modern art!! And the “film crew” look so very real!
Oooh you haven’t been? There’s a tea house cafe on the ground floor too! :)
What a fun filled outing…and your choice of sandwiches sounds great.
Thanks Karen, it was a really fun way to start the weekend! The food was delicious – but expensive! :)
Amazing!! Probably too far for me to visit unfortunately ;-)
Nevermind darling, that’s why I took the photos to share with you! :D
I love your roving camera! And the glorious photos that you are sharing with us these days, I never know what to expect when I come to your blog and that makes it very exciting – xx Jo
Thank you dear friend! I’m really enjoying the iPhone – so much more versatile that even the old pocket camera! We’re having great fun, looking for places to visit!
So interesting to read your blog this morning Celia … I was at the White Rabbit Gallery yesterday, such a fabulous space & beautiful works. Love your photos… you have actually inspired me to go out and explore the city with my camera. Having sooo much fun! Thank you Celia x
Suz, I’m so happy to hear that! Glad you’re enjoying the adventure! :)
Great post, Celia. The thought processes behind these pieces are extraordinary. Tip toeing around wax works made me giggle.
Jo, I felt like such an idiot. :) Even when Pete said, come and have a look at this one, I was busy admiring the “interviewee”. Pete finally gave up and said, “I think the cameraman is more impressive, don’t you?” :D
Hi Celia
Wow those pieces look absolutely stunning.That honeycombed paper exhibit looks amazing as do all the others.
Glenda, I think that one might be my favourite, although it was hard to choose! I liked that one much more than the one he did for the Biennale!
Only just had a moment to look at your post, yesterday was a long one starting with a ‘secret’ code sent to a friend. Loved reading your followers responses. Roz
Come up and “culture” us some more, Roz! Where should we go next? 176, over. :)
Love the ‘motor’ bike! So much fun and I wish I could have one too! The gift shop stuff looks fun as well, I like random weird bits and pieces :)
Food trucks and art galleries- what’s not to love about Sydney? :)
Becca, the video is an absolute hoot, I wish I’d taken a clip of it. I really admire the determination of the artist! Come up and visit soon!
I think my small people would like a visit to this gallery- thank Celia!
Brydie, take money! There’s a potato gun there that they might just find irresistible. :)
Food trucks are such a wonderful idea I wish someone would bring them to Brisbane. I’m loving your new-found art love Celia. I don’t really get in touch with my cultural side very often but I love the little insight you give me. That embroidered entry way is unbelievable. Some people are so talented.
Claire, you are so kind, thank you! I was worried I was going to drive you all nuts, dragging out the art gallery snapshots! :) The embroidered doorway really was remarkable. There were so many great exhibits, it was hard to know which ones to write about!
Dear Celia,
I think Sydney’s awesome weather makes it such a beautiful city to dine al fresco, no matter what we eat although holding that beef brisket dog in my hand would be a nice bonus too!
Chopinand, we’d not been the Pyrmont markets before, and it was a really nice little gathering. Not much by way of market stalls, but music and sunshine aplenty.
I want the pulled pork please :) Then I would happily stroll through this marvelous gallery for every surprise.
Big Boy tells me it was really delicious – I didn’t get a taste though! :) The gallery is just wonderful!
Love this virtual tour – would like pulled pork sandwiches too please.
Thanks Sally! This year of art discovery has been really fun! :)
Waw, Thanks for showing us this exhibition in this lovely gallery! Thanks for the lovely tour & explanation too! Very cool! It is like travelling from my chair! Cool!
I love it that you have food trucks now, we don’t! :( The food you ate looks splendid & tasty too! And that app is great!
Sophie, the food trucks are really new here, and they’re just getting up and running! I’m so glad you enjoyed the gallery with me, thank you! :)
I love these little forays into your art galleries! The meticulous detail in so much of this work reminds me how impatient I am, lol! Just imagine the painstaking time they took to accomplish these works of art! Astonishing, really! We have awesome food trucks as well!! Gotta love that sort of food!! xx
Smidge, I know!! Isn’t it amazing how intricate and detailed it all is! I really admire the dedication and patience of the artists – and also wonder how on earth they managed to make a living while creating their pieces! Would love to know more about your food trucks!
I love food trucks!! I am so pleased that Sydney is planning to grant more licenses!! Yummy, more food!
This was our first one, and we hope to track down a few more! :)
The color cobalt blue is my favorite and the vehicle is beautiful…Maybe one of these days will visit….it’s on my bucket list! It’sa shame that I did not tell my sister-in-law and her traveling friend to contact you. They are Catholic Nuns and were there for a week. Hitting myself on the head…
Me too ! Me too ! I tracked down the Veggie truck on Saturday. Poor man cooking was nearly fainting in the heat, but FANTASTIC veggie burgers. The Eat Art Truck is number one on my hit list – menu sounds great and now your pics confirm it.
Dear Celia,
I just fell into your site looking for a lemon cake on pinterest (my new obsession). I have just made a commitment to bake a “birthday” cake every month this year for a group I belong to…I will definetly be trying your recipes and the blogs are wonderful to follow! I may be looking for a bundt pan this week end as well! Thanks for the US conversions, we are so behind!~ Is “icing sugar” the same as powdered or confectioners? Sydney…a city on my wish list, thanks for ALL the great tips! The Best, Teresa