Ha! I’ve just typed the heading to this post and I’m wondering if it will make it to the final cut. Maybe I’ll leave it – it’s what came into my head when I looked at the photos I wanted to share, plus it really is how I feel at the moment.
After six months of daily Headspace meditation and ten months of daily walks, I’m doing well and enjoying a sense of balance. In addition, I’m feeling much more resilient to stuff that happens these days, if that makes sense…
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Serendipitously, Sydney has been at her most charming in the last month and it’s been a joy to get out and about, exploring all she has to offer. Pete and I caught the train to town for Vivid 2017…
The Opera House was transformed into a living coral reef…
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Pete’s cousin Richard did the electrical work on Supernova, so of course, we had to make a special trip in to see that…
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The MCA was again a canvas for moving light and colour…
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A small alleyway was turned into a sea of light and colour in Tidal…
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Pete and I try to visit a new precinct each year, and this time we walked through the Royal Botanic Gardens. The waratah light sculpture was a standout…
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Light of Thoughts – a stylised interactive “brain” – was made all the better by a chance meeting with the young Chinese artist who created it…
He was justifiably proud of his work!
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While Vivid was on, we had family visiting from overseas.
Young Rachel, my nephew Nick’s partner, became an instant kindred spirit. She used to work as an assistant curator in Contemporary South-East Asian Art, so you can just imagine how excited I was to have someone to drag to art galleries with me! We visited the White Rabbit Gallery, then trekked over to the MCA. On the way, we stopped at Hat World in the Rocks to buy Rach a Breton, to protect her from Sydney’s occasionally terrifying seagull population. Naturally, I had to get one too (can’t resist a good hat!)…
The MCA is my happy place – I try to go whenever I can. At the moment, French-Algerian artist Kader Attia has stunning pieces on display.
This untitled piece, created from 116 stained glass fragments, was one of my favourites. It can be viewed from the front…
…and the back…
This interesting untitled work was created from an ancient sculpture combined with neon lighting. Both Rachel and I would happily have taken it home…
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Sydney’s street art scene is growing, and we passed some fabulous works as we meandered through the city…
Aboriginal elder Jenny Munro, as painted by artist Matt Adnate, graces the wall of the Novotel hotel…
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When I heard that a portrait had been painted of Fighting Father Dave Smith, I made a special trip to Martin Place to view it.
Dave and I go back a long way – I have wonderful memories of him sitting in my college room, decked out in his bike leathers, talking to me about God. Even in his early twenties, he was the least judgmental Christian I’d ever met. He’s spent the past thirty years fighting – in the ring, taking on churches and governments; always defending, always preaching, always faithful and always driven. Oh, and more than a little bit crazy. When I last saw him (it must have been ten years ago), he told me I was welcome to join the Fighting Fathers, but I’d have to get the tattoo.
It’s a joy to see him honoured for his enormous contribution to those in need. This artwork by Archibald finalist Luke Cornish aka E.L.K. has captured him perfectly…
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Are you still reading?
Let me end this long rambling post with a couple of early morning photos.
The sun rises later in winter, producing amazing light which changes over the course of our daily walk. This photo captured every aspect of the weather that morning – the fluffy white clouds and blue skies reflected in the sea, the band of grey storm clouds looming in the distance, and the golden shoreline, lit up by the first rays of the sun…
And finally, a photo which provides an apt metaphor for where I’m at right now.
Big Boy and I were out walking in the drizzling rain last week and as we turned to head home, we saw this magnificent rainbow. I can’t remember the last time I saw one so complete. I’m always incredibly grateful for the time I get to spend with our eldest son and seeing such a glorious sight was icing on the cake. It only lasted for ten minutes, before the top of the arch started to fade.
Getting wet and cold? That was insignificant by comparison.
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Wishing you all a very happy week, lovely friends! ♥
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