Where has the summer gone?

Norway Impressions – Oslo

This year we decided to visit Norway.  On our flight to Oslo we saw what was going to follow us around for the next 2 weeks – clouds, lots of clouds.  From the 25th floor you have a good view of the city.

The Oslo Opera, completed in 2007, is home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. The roof of the building angles to the ground level, creating a large plaza that invites people to walk up and enjoy the panoramic views of Oslo. While much of the building is covered in white granite and La Facciata, a white Italian carrara marble, the stage tower is clad in white aluminum, in a design that evokes old weaving patterns.

A must is the visit to the Viking Ship Museum, displaying 3 wooden, 9th-century Viking ships, plus artifacts recovered from burial chambers as well as the Fram Museum, telling the story of Norwegian polar explorations. Both are located on the peninsula of Bygdøy, a short boat trip from Oslo’s city centre.

We also visited the unique Vigeland Sculpture Park, Gustav Vigeland’s lifework with more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and wrought iron. Vigeland was in charge of the design and architectural layout of the park, which was developed between 1939 and 1949.

We enjoyed visits to the Advard Munch Museum and the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, located in Aker Brygge right on the harbour.

Three days was too short to see all of what Oslo has to offer.  We will have to come back.

Collaroy – On the Edge

It was a last minute, well last week, decision.  Today, 5th April, I am hanging my images for a solo exhibition at the GkJE Gallery 2 at the cafe Not Just Coffee in Paddington, Sydney.  You can view the images while you are enjoying your coffee from 6th – 30th April (Mon – Fri, 7:30am – 4pm, Sat & Sun, 8:30am – 3:30pm).  I will have an official opening on Sat, 9th April, 2:30 – 3:30pm.

Let me Chair you

I have been fascinated by chairs for a while.  Here is an alternate way of representing them.

SSS – Sun Sand Surf

The rain has gone, the sun has returned.  A beautiful morning at Mona Vale, though the beach is closed.

Looking Down – Beach

I am thinking of creating a series of blogs featuring things you can see when looking down.  This is my first attempt.

Looking down while walking on the beach.  Here are things I noticed.

Sculptured Rock at a Sydney Beach

Between Mona Vale and Warriewood there is a rock formation right on the beach.  It’s impressive how the sea has sculptured the rock.  Here are some images I took with my phone today.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

PS: In case you see snow flakes on our screen, don’t worry, even with all the Climate Change it doesn’t snow at Christmas in Australia.

Visit to Central Park in Sydney

Central Park is a major mixed-use urban renewal project on Broadway close to central station.  Until 2000 the site was dominated by a brewery.  The redevelopment includes an apartment complex with a shopping centre and a park of about 6500 m2.

A Very Slow Day at the Gallery – Unseen Sense

I had plenty of time to look around and this is the result.

If you are in Sydney, come on in!  This is our last week!  We are closing the doors on Sunday, 14/6/15.

Seasons Greetings

The year started with being accepted as associate exhibitor at the HeadOn Festival 2014.   As this was my first solo exhibition the preparation created a bit of a headache.  I enjoyed the challenge.

I am indebted to Mary Meyer and Sandy Edwards for their support in putting the exhibition together, Prof Emer Des Crawley for his kind words at the opening and my son’s band, Catgut for the music.

Next I was invited to be part of the Photo Compendium Australia featuring 52 Australian photographers.  The book was released in November at an exhibition of the photographers images.

Two days after taking down my exhibition I was off to Europe.  Final destinations were Riga, Tallinn and Lahemaa National Park.  Vienna was the first stop, …

… followed by Prague, …

… Carlsbad, Weimar, Berlin and Hamburg.

A 24 hour boat trip took us to the Baltic where we spent most of 2 weeks travelling through Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania with friends.  It was a memorable trip of culture and scenery.

The final highlight of the year was our new grandchild.
What a great year. 

Thank you for following my blog during 2014.    See you in 2015.