Architecture is of course and central part of the Modernist movement but the fixtures, fittings and sculptures were important parts of the movement and artworks in their own right. This was the case with the former Dom Polski Polish House that was on Wellington Street in Launceston where above the main entry was a wonderful wrought iron sign with fantastic period typeface and deep red colouring.
Read MoreStar Theatre - A Launceston Art Deco Landmark
The Star Theatre in Launceston is a beautiful example of Streamline Modernism and is one of the most striking examples of commercial Modernism.
Read MoreFormer AMP Building - Hobart
The AMP building is a significant and excellent example of Tasmanian Modernism and was designed in the1960s. When it was built it was the tallest building in Hobart until another Modernist landmark, the Wrest Point Casino Tower (heritage listed & designed by Sir Roy Grounds) was opened in the early 1970s.
Read MoreReserve Bank Building - Hobart
The former Reserve Bank in Hobart is significant example of Modernism and was designed by the Commonwealth Department of Works. Throughout Australian capital cities there were reserve banks designed in the Modernist aesthetic throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The Hobart Reserve bank has similarities in design aesthetic to 10 Murray Street Government offices (demolished) seen in its concrete framework.
Read MoreLaunceston Library - Celebrating 50 Years
This month marks 50 years since the opening of the Launceston Library on the 8th October 1971. Originally known as the Northern Regional Launceston Library, the newly opened building provided a much needed modern amenity and extra storage capacity over several floors. The original library, known as the Launceston Mechanics Institute was built on the corner of St John and Cameron Streets
Read More10 Murray Street Project - How Photography Evokes Emotion and Memory
This is my latest edit from my project documenting 10 Murray Street Government Offices in Hobart. I have photographs and video spanning a 10 year period in which I photographed the building from every perceivable angle both exterior and interior. I enjoy opening up these folders and working on this long term project. Whilst the building has long gone my collection of photographs serve as a reminder of what once was and working on these photographs takes me back to moments in time working on this project.
Read MoreFormer Gunns Processing Plant viewed from Trevallyn
Carrying on my my previous posts documenting the former Gunns plant in the suburb of Invermay in Launceston this photograph I captured from the suburb of Trevallyn provides a great industrial profile of the buildings, pipes and machinery that made up the factory. I enjoyed this view as it provides context as to where the factory was located. In this photograph we see the former railway workshops in the far background (now University of Tasmania).
Read MoreFormer Gunns Headquarters and processing plant - Invermay, Launceston
Founded by brothers John and Thomas Gunn back in 1875, the company was a major employer throughout Tasmania. It went into administration in 2012 and by early 2013 was placed into liquidation and its headquarters demolished completely later that year. As a documentary photographer I enjoy looking back through my vast archives. The current site today is unrecognisable from this photograph. I have documented the development of these new buildings that replaced Gunns as well. Who knows what it will look like in the next 10 years or 50 years from now...the process of documentation is endless!
Former Royal Derwent Hospital Chapel - New Norfolk
This is my latest edit of the church building on the site of the former Royal Derwent Hospital. The hospital was the longest running mental institution in Australia operating for over 170 years until its closure in the early 2000s. I am happy to have documented the complex so that there is a record for posterity as many of the buildings I documented have since been demolished.
Read MoreT&G Building Hobart - Art Deco Hobart
The impressive Art Deco lines of former Australian Temperance and General Mutual Life Assurance Society in Hobart. Designed in the early 1930s with construction commencing in 1937 the T&G building was the beginning of what would usher in the beginning of the Modernist movement in Tasmania.
Read MoreFormer New Norfolk Police Station
I captured this photograph of the former New Norfolk Police Station one late in 2020. The next morning at first light fencing was being erected in preparation for demolition.
Read MoreA beautiful in-tact example of 1950s Tasmania living
A beautiful and great example of a mid century 1950s home with original features intact including the orange brickwork, timber frame windows, balustrade, porch light fitting and even the house number. With so much change and demolition of the period it makes me smile seeing such original design as it was intended and intact too.
Read MoreDerwent Valley Council Chambers - New Norfolk
This is one of my latest captures for the Tasmanian Modernism project. I had documented the bold Art Deco building well over a decade ago now but it's always always fun to go back and capture familiar sites with fresh eyes. I remember waking up at first light to a sunny but windy morning and the forecast was for overcast conditions. There was a quick window where the sun was out where I made this photograph. Summer in Tasmania - it was just 3c!
Read MoreHolyman House - Launceston
One of my favourite Modernist buildings in Tasmanian is Holyman House in Launceston. Designed in the 1930s it’s a wonderful example of Streamline Modernism with beautiful finial details. Whilst I’ve made plenty of photos of Holyman House this one I was very happy with the lack of traffic and the beautiful pastel hues of the sky
Read MoreDemolition of former ABC TV Studios, Hobart
The former mid century ABC TV Studios has been approved for demolition. The stunning glass curtain wall design features a beautiful period mosaic designed by Artist George Davis using 150,000 mosaic tiles which is on the heritage and must be retained in the redevelopment. Read more about Tasmanian glass curtain wall architecture on the Tasmanian blog here http://www.tryanphotos.com/.../glass-curtain-wall-tasmania
Read More