Frank Hodgkinson
Harbour: The Spirit of Sydney
1st - 26th May 2010
Darling Harbour Gold - 1987, Watercolour on Paper, 23 x 51cm
"I find waterfronts exciting places as ships come and go luring the mind to exotic destinations," (F Hodgkinson)
Having been born in Sydney, the harbour was always a part of Frank's psyche - he leant to swim in it, went to school at Fort Street, worked at Circular Quay, went to art school there - and at various stages of his peripatetic life lived around her shores. Frank was inspired by the harbour and had painted it on many occasions over his distinguished career. He was able to draw on all of these experiences when commissioned to paint a massive mural to 'celebrate the soul of Sydney' for the re-opening of No. 1 Martin Place, the old Post Office and the new Westin Hotel in the year 2000.
This magnificent 4 x 32metre painting The Spirit of Sydney hangs permanently in the foyer of the Westin. To construct such a large work, Frank painted eight maquettes (panels 1/10 the size of the painting) and these panels shall be exhibited for the first time in the show and for sale.
The related works on paper from the 1970's - 2000's, illustrate the importance of Sydney Harbour as a source of continual inspiration for this wonderful artist.
The Spirit of Sydney - Panel I, Oil on Canvas, 137.5 x 183.5cm
The Spirit of Sydney - Panel II, Oil on Canvas, 137.5 x 82cm
The Spirit of Sydney - Panel V, Oil on Canvas, 137.5 x 92cm
Pier, Watercolour & Gouache on Paper, 76 x 56cm
From the Observatory, Watercolour & Gouache on Paper, 76 x 56cm
Harbour, Afternoon Light - 1999, Watercolour on Paper, 51.5 x 33.5cm
Mangrove Flats, Watercolour on Paper, 33 x 51cm
Harbour Mist - 1999, Watercolour on Paper, 50 x 33cm
Harbour Cranes, Gouache & Watercolour on Paper, 25 x 56cm
Pier View - 1999, Watercolour on Paper, 24.5 x 54cm
Sunrise - 1975, Watercolour on Paper, 25 x 51cm
North Head - 1986, Watercolour on Paper, 25 x 51cm
Low Tide - 1975, Watercolour on Paper, 25 x 51cm
Woolloomooloo - 1999, Watercolour on Paper, 23 x 51cm
Sunshower -1982, Watercolour on Paper, 23 x 51cm
Breakwater - 1985, Watercolour on Paper, 31 x 41cm
Cargo Boat - 1988, Watercolour on Paper, 39.5 x 30cm
Harbour, Loading - 1999, Watercolour on Paper, 39 x 31cm
Impression, Wax Resist & Watercolour on Paper, 30 x 39cm
Sunset & Sandbar - 1999, Watercolour on Paper, 28 x 37cm
Reflections - 1975, Watercolour on Paper, 27.5 x 37cm
Ferry Wharf - 1999, Watercolour on Paper, 29 x 33cm
Harbour Haze, Watercolour on Paper, 28 x 33cm
Harbour Blue, Watercolour on Paper, 23 x 25cm
Opera House - 1987, Watercolour & Gouache on Paper, 34 x 31cm
Harbour Bridge - 1987, Watercolour & Gouache on Paper, 50 x 25cm
Night, Man-O-War Steps, Oil on Canvas, 168 x 102cm