We’re enjoying a very warm Autumn in Sydney!
Last week, Pete and I went for an excursion into town. We started at the Goods Line – a green space between Ultimo and Darling Harbour, built over a now decommissioned section of the rail line. The area is mostly used by students from the University of Technology Sydney, with UTS buildings fronting right onto the pedestrian walkway.
The highlight of our stroll was the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building (UTS School of Business). It’s a gloriously wonky structure designed by architect Frank Gehry and described in local media as resembling a squashed brown paper bag…
Apparently the bricklayers found it “challenging”…
After walking to Central, we hopped a train to St James station and wandered down to the Art Gallery of NSW to view their Biennale exhibits. The “Embassy of Spirits” has some wonderful pieces, many of which evoke quiet meditation.
Abstraction of Confusion (2016) by Taro Shinoda…
I wish I could fully describe the experience of this fascinating installation to you. Visitors are invited to remove their shoes and walk out onto the tatami matted platform where they can simply absorb the stillness and cracked whiteness of the empty room…
Nyanpanyapa Yunupingu by the Gumatj People…
This collection of hollow log artworks created by a variety of indigenous artists is arranged into a forest of still trees. I loved it…
Lluvias (Rain) and Sermón by Columbian artist Johanna Calle
The Embassy of Chromatic Delegates by American fibre artist Sheila Hicks…
Untitled (2014) by Daniel Boyd
I believe this painting is on permanent display at the Art Gallery of NSW rather than being part of the Biennale. I saw it from the other side of the room and it took my breath away – it’s the second time I’ve been awestruck by a Daniel Boyd work without knowing who the artist was. This 2014 Bulgari Art Award winner was created using indigenous dot painting techniques…
Photo credit: The Guardian (article on Daniel Boyd here)
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The following day, I met my old friend Diana for a coffee. She passed me a bag of their beautiful garlic leftovers. I’m nearly out of local garlic, so I was very grateful to get these…
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I thought my cellar tidy up produced some treasures, but Dad’s included a 1947 bottle of Para Port, a bottle of Royal Salute 21 year old Scotch Whisky and a Polignac XO Cognac. As Mum’s not a drinker, I got to bring them all home…
Inspired by the glowing bottle on my benchtop, I baked cognac coloured loaves on the weekend…
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A bit of experimenting in the kitchen…
I baked sourdough baguettes and then stuffed them with meat offcuts, cheese and antipasto before squashing them for a couple of hours to allow the flavours to meld. They were delicious…
And I tried my hand at making chicken liver paté for the first time, using a Jamie Oliver recipe that is cream-free. It was a hit was Big Boy and the neighbours…
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A surprise gift in the mail from lovely Lorna! She sent me this wonderful ammonite pair. I was so excited I squealed when I opened the package…
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Earlier in the week at Costco, I ran into Dora, a friend of Carol’s and a fellow school mum. We got chatting about sourdough and on Monday night I dropped some Priscilla starter and a recipe to her (serendipitously, she lives in our suburb). I was thrilled to get this photo of her first loaf on Friday morning…
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Happy Days! Wishing you all a glorious week! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
You sound like you have entered a wonderful stage of life now Celia- visiting galleries and discovering lovely drinkable gems in the cellar. I recently tried a smoked eel pate on my travels in the South Island of NZ and am now keen to make this when I get back, and serve it as you have done here, with pickled bits and pieces and a good bread.
Fra, interestingly I’ve been seeing and buying smoked eel at the fish markets of late – locally made but I can’t remember from where. If I see it again, I’ll take a photo for you.
My fish man will supply smoked eel if I ring him one day before. Down here in the southern bits of New Zealand, they make a manuka smoked mussel pate. When I get back, I plan to play with thus too. My eldest son bought a smoker from Aldi a few months ago and it’s still in its box. I can see a smoking day coming up… especially using the cheaper fish from the market such as leather jacket. xx
Oh Celia, a woman after my own heart! I was at the Art Gallery last week also … the totems & the space & the way they have been displayed is haunting & beautiful & Sheila Hicks fibre piece in main foyer of the gallery is a riotous joy of colour! I also saw the works by our talented HSC students, wonderful. A fabulous morning had. I so enjoy reading you posts.
Sue, wasn’t it all wonderful? We’re going back with my Mum for the Tang Exhibition – we were too late to go in when we were there. Really looking forward to it!
I just love it when you ‘take us along’ on your adventures!! Loved the ‘squashed paper bag building’ and my favorite from the museum is def. the Shelia Hicks fiber (sorry, American spelling there!) with all those glorious bright colors! Today’s Mother’s Day here in the States. Your Sunday must already be over… so I wish you a Happy Mother’s day one day late. ; o )
Cecile, I tossed up whether or not to spell it “fiber” out of respect to Sheila’s American roots! :) Hope you had a glorious Mother’s Day too! x
Oh what a delightfully ‘mixed bag’!! I could have spent the day at the Art Gallery alone – fascinated by the variety of exhibits some of which take my breath away!! And I have only seen the ‘Wing’ building on photos and film: think it huge fun tho’ can understand the brickies’ problems :) ! Do have your camera along when you venture out on an exploration journey again . . .
Will do Eha! So glad you enjoy the photos! :)
I love Frank Gehry architecture. We’ve seen a few now and it is always amazing and inspires many photographs. Thank you for your continuing inspiration across many areas of life.
Ardys, can you imagine the tradies who tender for the job, though? I reckon I’d take one look and run away.. :)
Beautiful pieces of art, including your bread!
Thanks Cornelia! Wish you were here – the Sydney Biennale is a photographer’s dream! :)
Thank you Celia, I wish that too, though never been to Australia yet. At the first glance I thought that brown paper building was created by Hundertwasser or Gaudi. Los Angeles has some great buildings by Frank Gheri
The ammonites are lovely. The subs have me getting hungry again. ☺ Lovely sights to see at the art galleries. Have a lovely week!
Thanks lovely! Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day and that big tribe of yours spoilt you! :)
That building looks stunning. I just love his work, but building them would require special tradies!
Anne, could you imagine? It looks like no two bricks are laid in a traditional pattern… :)
Happy days indeed! That pate looks good….I think the recipe is similar to how I make mine. Fabulous exhibition and I love that wonky building. It makes me think a bit of Gaudi!
My friend Diana said the same thing! I’ve never seen a Gaudi! :)
Sounds like you’ve had some very happy days. I haven’t made chicken liver pate since the 1980s when it was “the” starter. Time to search out my old recipe.
I’ve never made it before, but I it was a lot easier than I thought. I *might* have gotten a little heavyhanded with the VSOP brandy.. :)
I never ever tire of seeing your bread Celia!!!
How’s Abbey going, Lina? (Is it Abbey you’re using, or her successor?) Do let me know if you ever need more starter, I have some dried. :)
Sounds like a lot of fun. You certainly get to see some interesting things.
Thanks for dropping by! :)
Celia: I wanted to thank you, so much for some of Priscilla.
I have had so many asking for some of the “Austrailian starter”
Naming mine “Sophie”
Again, thank you so much for your thoughtfulness!
Charlie
How wonderful! I hope she’s behaving well for you! x
I went to my first gem show yesterday and thought of you. There were fossils and crystals galore. Your manias are infectious, my wonderful friend! Hugs, Maz.
Oooh, did you buy lots? Lucky I wasn’t there, I’d have blown all my dosh! :)
Yet another lovely post Celia. I do love being shown around your trips by photograph.
Thanks for joining me, Kim! It’s always fun to go on an explore (as Winnie the Pooh might call it).
I really felt like I was carried along on your day out, thank you. Your sourdough continues to be stunning!
It looks like you had a wonderful time exploring, Celia. You also have some lovely goodies there. I adore real chicken liver pate, my family isn’t keen on it so it’s mine, all mine! Xo
Another fun post, Celia… always lovely to pop in and see what you’ve been up to xxx
I can see where that building would resemble a squashed bag but it also reminds me of a bee hive. Great trip to that gallery!
I wish I had someone to share a chicken liver pate with me. Even better, someone to make it for me :)
I MISS wandering about town and in and out of galleries.. must have a go at the chicken liver pate – i still have livers in the freezer.. c