In the final year of the prison's life (1990) the prisoners were allowed to paint on their cell walls. These paintings area all prisoner art and it will come as no surprise to you that every single painting is of an outdoor scene.
These drawings are from the colonial period. In the post-colonial period the cell was used as a broom closet. The drawings were found when a patch of paint was accidentally knocked off. There's Perspex over the walls now to protect the drawings from the grubby paws of tourists.
The cell once housed a convict who had been trained as a commercial artist. 19th century commercial art training involved drawing certain classics over and over until you got them right.
There in his cell he drew from memory, using whatever he had that would make a mark. How he kept the drawings hidden is an unsolved mystery.
Doldrums
Went off yesterday for a end-of-Dr-Who-season barbie and got a wee bit smashed and sunburnt. Other than that I've been head down arse up since I got back working. Another long day of it tomorrow then there might be a day or two off.
Bungalow alert
For sale. Railway Street Woy Woy. Dunno if it's been been sold yet so be quick. And if you buy it then do evil renovations to it, I know where you live.
4 comments:
That first picture reminds me of a childrens book, but I can't think which one. A child dressed as a jungle animal or monster is in a jungle and is confronted with real jungle animals or monsters. Or somesuch.
I like the bungalow (something I never thought I'd hear myself say). Perhaps I'll keep it in mind for retirement...
Can't think which one either. Possibly it was about heffalumps or whatchamacallits.
Fly down on Broom with a tractor beam and tow it back to the grounds of Castle DeVice. Make a nice folly.
It would, wouldn't it?
Although, I fear, Broom would yank its bristles out in the attempt.
Yers, flight to the Antipodes with a bungalow in tow on the return leg would tax any Broom.
Granny Weatherwax's seems to be held up merely by threats and gumption.
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