Lens Life - August

Here I am again, after another month has absolutely rocketed past! It's been a busy one, with trips to Canberra and Melbourne, a hectic assignment schedule and of course, reading way too many articles and speculating on the, now past, federal election. 

I do have a few photos from my two trips away though, so for now, I'll share those and cross my fingers that September will ease off a little and give me time to write some posts. 

We are eating burgers from Brodburger, the best burger of my LIFE!

Whenever my sister is involved in anything, you can be sure that you will not have a second of boredom. She loves to plan as many things as possible in even the shortest of time frames. This meant that when my Mum and I travelled up for the weekend we were in for busy time. 

It was a great girls weekend with trips to see Phantom of the Opera at Canberra Theatre Centre,  a visit to the Turner Exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia and SO much food and wine, I pretty much just rolled all the way back home to Sydney. Oh, and my first trip to Costco... whoa!

The cityscape walking from Richmond to the city.

Again, more beautiful grey skies at Luna Park in St Kilda. 

The next weekend I headed down to Melbourne with my sister and her partner Mel. Again, I had chosen a freezing place to go in the depths of winter... silly! Although, one of the things I love most about Melbourne IS the gorgeous grey skies. We powered through the cold with trips to St Kilda markets, Brunswick, Richmond and Fitzroy. As always we drank and dined and walked A LOT!

Where are your favourite places in Canberra and Melbourne? Do you have a 'must visit' list for either? 

Sarah x

Lens Life - July

It has been a busy few weeks here in Sydney, which unfortunately has meant very little time to add to my blog!

There has been family visits in Sydney, Newcastle and the Southern Highlands, friends leaving for overseas, countless assignments and a persistent cold. Fortunately, the sunny Sydney weather combined with an endless supply of honey and lemon tea has kept me going.

Here are a few of my favourite snaps from July:

Saying good bye to my friend of 14 years, Chino

Checking out some amazing bronze sculpture works by Gillie and Marc, followed by Ruben sandwiches at The Milk Factory Gallery, Bowral

Strolls around Sydney - The MCA and Blackwattle Bay

Does anyone have some handy tips to beat a persistent cold?

Hope you've all had a great few weeks!

Sarah x

A Little Bit of Art

This work caught my eye on my trip home on the bus. I was so intrigued I jumped off at the next stop to take a picture.

The sculptures which were in a fenced in front yard in Lilyfield, Sydney created the most colourful garden. I am yet to discover who the artist is, though I will keep looking.

Jealous of the Moon

So today, I have decided just a quick post because I am meant to be writing an essay. I thought I would share a short video, which is one of my favourites.

It is a scene from the movie Basquiat, about the 'graffiti' neo-expressionist artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. I love this movie, I love Jean-Michel Basquiat's work and this scene also has my favourite cover song in it 'Its All Over Now Baby Blue' by Van Morrison. I think it's a cool clip, and depending on what mood you're in can make you feel very happy or very sad.

So this is it...

"He says he's jealous of the moon, because you look at it. He's jealous of the sun, because it warms you. He says, I feel you, even when I'm not feeling you. I talk to you when I'm not talking to you. I love you, even when I'm not loving you."

Untitled (Skull) 1982 - Jean-Michel Basquiat

"I don't listen to what art critics say. I don't know anybody who needs a critic to find out what art is." Jean-Michel Basquiat

Untitled 1983 - Jean-Michel Basquiat

One of the things I always found interesting about Basquiat's work was the way he used vile words to describe humans. I also like the way he crosses words out. Some have thought the idea behind this was to make the words more prominent and important in their absence, I think it works well.  We all want to see things we're not supposed to see.

Anyway, my sister and I discovered Basquiat when we were quite young and bought calendars to hang in our rooms. We thought we were so cool for knowing this, out there, artist and treated it like he was our own discovery. I didn't really understand why I loved his work maybe it had to do with the bright colours or maybe it had to do with the fact it wasn't a form of art our mum and dad had ever shown us. Either way both of us still love him and we both still have our calenders.

If you want to look at more of his artworks you can here.

Antony Makhlouf

SAENS' SWAN  2009

Have you heard of this man Antony Makhlouf? Well you should have, he has been shamelessly plugging his artworks which are entered in a competition called Art Takes London.

I'm more than ok with this, because, frankly his works are amazing, and damn it, we should be voting for him.

Source: AntonyMakhlouf

Makhlouf is a photographer from Sydney who has lived in Beirut and New York and draws inspiration from these experiences in his depiction of self-identity, race, religion and memory. With an educational history that includes psychology, art theory, photography, studio lighting and digital imaging, he is challenging the world with informed creativity.

To check out his work visit his website: Antony Makhlouf

Remember to vote 5 stars for him in the Art Takes London competition and give a brilliant Sydney artist some support! Vote Here - Antony Makhlouf: Art Takes London