Exploring Sydney with the Whiteley's
Led by art and nature
I’m a big fan of Sydney and have experienced it both as a resident and as a visitor. I love the vast harbour and opportunity to take in city views from on the water. There are few cities which are situated on such a combination of sheer natural beauty and colour.
All of which leads me to artist Brett Whiteley, known throughout the Australian art world for his unique approach to painting. Many of his most famous artworks are of Sydney Harbour and its incredible colours and moods.
I’ve long been a fan of Whiteley and have had a poster of one of his paintings on my wall at home for many years. I’m also keen on nature in cities and really like to visit the most interesting specialty gardens when I travel. These two interests come together for me in Sydney and provide an innovative way to explore the harbour city.
I’d suggest beginning this exploration by travelling to The Brett Whiteley Studio in Surrey Hills.
While the ground floor displays lots of Whiteley’s artworks this is more than just a gallery. The upstairs level is where Whiteley created some of his famous works of art. It was his main Sydney studio from 1988 to 1992.
What’s unique is that the upper level had been left as if Whiteley was still working and had just stepped out for a moment. It’s a surreal experience as you see photos of Whiteley, postcards from friends pinned to a board and personal photographs.
There are ideas jotted down for future paintings, unfinished paintings along with sketches, half used paints, brushes and all he’d need to create art.
On a visit here some years back his music collection was on hand and visitors were invited to put on a cd that he had owned. It created a really special background sound in the studio with artists as diverse as Bob Dylan and Dire Straits. All in all it’s a brilliant studio to visit.
Next up I’d suggest a light rail trip to Circular Quay. From here you’ll climb to the pedestrian walkway on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and walk to the north side of the harbour. Make your way down the north bridge pylon to water level, walk past Luna park and go towards Lavender Bay.
Once there you will be at Wendy’s Secret Garden, an area of land directly below the house Brett and his wife Wendy Whiteley shared for two decades and from where he created some of his iconic Sydney Harbour paintings.
The garden is open to visitors and was created by Wendy Whiteley as a way to deal with the grief of Bretts death in 1992.
It’s a truly serene place to sit and take in Sydney in all its glory, yet from within what feels like a private place. Which was just what Brett Whiteley did while creating major works from the house above the garden including Self portrait in the studio, Interior with time past 1976, and The jacaranda tree (on Sydney Harbour).
This is a magical, almost hidden location from where you can watch Sydney harbour life go past and think about the incredible talent of Brett Whiteley in creating art and the fortitude of Wendy Whiteley in creating a garden out of grief.
I know I often write “Don’t miss this”, but in this instance I truly mean it. Get here on your next visit to Sydney, Australia.
~ Allan Campion