Official Opening Saturday March 18, 3 – 5 pm
Paradise lost is a small series of paintings of original Gold Coast houses, some are gone
(demolished), and some still exist….maybe?
These types of houses were once a common feature of the streets and suburbs along the southern
Queensland coast, each are unique and evoke a past era of relaxed beachside living.
Some are simple beach shacks and others a little more stylish with echoes of the influence of the
modernist movement particularly from the post war era. Sloped skillion and ‘butterfly’ roofs, striped
awnings, stone feature walls and chimneys and decorative panels, iron or brick work.
Artist Statement
The Gold Coast, the traditional land of the Yugambeh language people, like many other coastal
towns and cities across Australia began as a holiday destination for people from nearby cities and
surrounding areas wanting a break from a working life.
Initially buildings were constructed that catered to short term accommodation needs. Some of the
first types of housing were boarding houses, small motels, flats, bungalows and then fibro shacks
(when the government-imposed restrictions on the size and materials that could be used for
buildings during the war years).
During the post (second world war) era with increasing optimism and growth and as people gained
more disposable income, affluence and style, architects were engaged that were inspired by the
international modernist movement and contemporary building design that had begun in Europe and
then America, including Florida and Palm Springs in California.
From the late 1960s and 70’s with improvements in concrete construction, increased plane travel
and demand for accommodation, more and more high-rise buildings were constructed particularly in
Surfers Paradise. To make way for this ongoing development many of the more modestly scaled
architectural heritage buildings were demolished.
For many years on trips to the gold Coast from my home on the north NSW coast I would
photograph some of my favourite places as different owners altered fencing and plantings in the
gardens.
The last few years has seen a boom in development and demand for more condensed and largescale
buildings subsequently land values have skyrocketed meaning a loss of many of these last
remaining vestiges of these past simple beachside streetscapes and houses. These beach houses
that are often on larger blocks are considered to have little or no architectural or heritage merit so
people see no value in their continued existence. They are just but a fading memory of another time
and lifestyle. I wonder will there ever be future regret about the non-existence of these types of
houses? The larger scale development is now not just confined to Surfers Paradise and is creeping its
way down to more southern suburbs like, Mermaid Beach, Palm Springs, Miami and Burleigh Heads.
This series is in a small way honouring some of these more humble places that are vestiges of the old
coast.
On exhibition from 11 March 2023 (same day as Lost in Palm Springs opening at HOTA)
Official opening the following Saturday 18.
Receive e-mail updates on our exhibitions, events and more
Subscribe Now