Wednesday, July 1, 2015

An Exotic Brisbane, Winters Odyssey - (Brissie you've Changed)

For those of you who may not be aware, and there is no reason you should be.. I grew up in Brisbane, and spent the formative years of my life there including three and a half very-important-years at the Queensland College of Art where I was a major in photography. Although residing down south in Sydney for many years now; one of the things that has stuck with me most, about Brisbane, then-and-now is that Brisbane is exotic! Don't ask the locals about that they won't know what you mean, or worse, may think you are having a go at them. But Brisbane is Exotic, and it's hot, hot and humid, because it's subtropical, which is a big part of why it is exotic. It still has a good collection of colonial era, tropical style architecture (that survived the Joe years), and  famous 'Old Queenslander' houses too, and it has these little patches of remnant bush land, close to the city and dotted all about. And because during WW2  as Pacific headquarters of U.S. General Douglas MacArthur 1,000,000 American servicemen passed through the city; (and the legendary Battle of Brisbane as Aussie servicemen fought the Yanks!) Some things a city never forgets. Because Robin Gibson and successors did such a great job on the South Bank arts precinct, arguably Australia's finest. Then there's the river, there's Morton Bay, Stradbroke island AKA Straddie, and now, while not exactly exotic, there is life right in the city now too; something we would dream of but could hardly imagine back in our day.. as seen from the 26th floor apartment I stayed in, one of the many tall apartment buildings now dotting the Brisbane skyline. Oh yes Brissie, a lot of you has stayed the same, but Brissie you have changed! Mouse over pictures for details.

Brisbane apartments and city hills, skyline, the view from the 26th floor I Stay River City. By Kent Johnson.
The view from the 26th floor I Stay River City.
A skateboarder in Albert street Brisbane, seen from the 26th floor. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Old fig tree and modern high rise office buildings, Brisbane CBD. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Sharply detailed shadows on a Brisbane street. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Anti-Vax street march in Charlotte street Brisbane June 2015. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Anti-Vax street march - maybe Joe was right..
Ferris wheel and QPAC, South Bank Brisbane from Victoria Bridge. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Ferris wheel and QPAC, South Bank Brisbane from Victoria Bridge.

Knit Your Bit, outside the Queensland State Library, South Bank Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Knit Your Bit, outside the Queensland State Library, South Bank Brisbane.
Exhibition detail. MICHAEL PAREKOWHAI THE PROMISED LAND. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Duchamp & Degars dreaming - Michael Parekowhai, The Promised Land (detail) GOMA.
Combi van in forest, exhibition detail. MICHAEL PAREKOWHAI THE PROMISED LAND. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Michael Parekowhai, The Promised Land (detail) GOMA.
Colonial Mutual Life Building now The Manor Apartments, Queen Street Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Former CML Building 1930 ( now The manor Apartments), always a favourite & the GPO.
The arcade Brisbane GPO. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Sandstone arches, Victorian architecture, the arcade Brisbane GPO.
Laneway and new hight rise building Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

1970 Len Shillam sculpture, Post Office square Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Plaque for 1970 Len Shillam sculpture, Post Office square Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Old State Library Brisbane, Mosaic Mural 1958  by Lindsay Edwards. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Old State Library Annex Brisbane, Mosaic Mural 1958 by Lindsay Edwards. 
Sculpture Morning Star by Jon Barlow Hudson, Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Morning Star by Jon Barlow Hudson
South Bank QAG, State library. "Approaching Equilibrium" by Anthony Pryor 1951-1991; Meriton apartments in background. Photo by Kent Johnson.
"Approaching Equilibrium" by Anthony Pryor 1951-1991
WW2 Bunker? Under the Storey Bridge. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Under the Storey Bridge, a WW2 bunker? 
Luxury Favelas on the river, Bulimba Brisbane Photo by Kent Johnson.
Luxury Favelas on the river, Bulimba Brisbane viewed from New Farm.
Shadow on house at night - Dornoch Terrace Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

The vibrant West End night markets food stalls. Photo by Kent Johnson.

An Elvis impersonator entertains onlookers at the vibrant West End night markets. Photo by Kent Johnson.
An Elvis impersonator(?) entertains onlookers at the vibrant West End night markets.

A panoramic view of Victorian era Queenslander houses and the view back to Brisbane city from the top of Teneriffe hill. Photo by Kent Johnson.
A panoramic view of Victorian era Queenslander houses and the view back to the city from the top of Teneriffe hill. 
A very steep hill and Our Lady of Victories Spanish Mission Style Church Bowen Hills, Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Steep public steps viewed from the top of Teneriffe hill.Photo by Kent Johnson.
Steep public steps leading to the top of Teneriffe hill.
Wild scrub Turkey on path Teneriffe Bushland Park. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Wild scrub Turkey on path Teneriffe Bushland Park. 
Queensland Musical Theatre practice hall, Teneriffe Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.
This is not GOMA...
Wild scrun turkey walks along pavement near luxury riverside units Teneriffe Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Clouds and river view from city cat ferry, Bulimba reach. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Clouds, view from city cat ferry Bulimba reach.
Artist portrait of Dennis McCart at the opeing night of his show 'Beneath Our Feet' at The Hold Artspace in West End, Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.
 Dennis McCart at the opeing night of his show 'Beneath Our Feet' at The Hold Artspace. 
Patrons Shoes, The Hold Artspace in West End, Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.

Art Sniffers at the 'Beneath Our Feet' exhibition, The Hold Artspace in West End, Brisbane. Photo by Kent Johnson.
At the 'Beneath Our Feet' exhibition, The Hold Artspace in West End, Brisbane. 
The autor and friend on the take a selfie on the riverside walkway New Farm with the city and Storey Bridge in the background. Photo by Kent Johnson.
Love you Brisbane! Thank YOU.

2 comments:

the foto fanatic said...

Great images of Brisbane!
Cheers
the foto fanatic
(yourbrisbanepastandpresent.com)

Kent Johnson said...

Thanks foto fanatic, had a great time making them. Thanks for your yourBrisbane blog!