On my first trip to the Gallery of NSW back when I was doing my HSC I came upon a number art works by Norman Lindsay. I was instantly enamoured with his oil paintings. His paintings, etchings and drawings kickstarted my love and real appreciation for Art.
As a parent I am always on the look out for opportunities to expose my children to art and theatre. While driving through the Blue Mountains I noticed that the Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum – www.normanlindsay.com.au was marked on my map just off the highway in Faulconbridge. I mentioned it to T and he turned off the highway for an impromptu visit. What a great find!
Norman Lindsay was born in Creswick, Victoria in 1879. His art work was always a little controversial. First with the cartoons he drew for the Bulletin magazine and later with his nude oil paintings. Many Australian’s know him best for authoring and illustrating the children’s book The Magic Pudding which has become an Australian classic.
He moved to Faulconbridge with his second wife, Rose, in 1911. After renting a few cottages, Norman came upon the stone cottage ‘Springwood‘ whilst riding his horse and subsequently purchased it with Rose for £500. Other than a small stint at his studio at No 12 Bridge Street, Sydney, Norman lived in the cottage for almost 60 years.
Most of the time, Norman stayed in the main studio. If you take the studio tour you will spy his bed. He would emerge for meals and conversation in the house with Rose and guests, before retreating back to his studio. He completed the majority of works, illustrations and boat models here and even recruited his Sydney based models to visit and pose for him in front of the fireplace.
Since being open to the public in the early 1970s the Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum has been one of the most visited National Trust gardens in Australia. Open 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, 7 days per week including public holidays (closed Christmas Day), a visit will provide you and your family and opportunity to sight a major collection of Lindsay’s work including watercolours, sculptures, ship models, novels and an exhibition of models from his classic children’s book “The Magic Pudding“.
A family ticket will cost you $30.00 but includes a tour of Norman’s studio (a serious ‘must-see’ if you as me). For a closer experience, you can even stay at the Norman Lindsay Gallery Cottage, something I would love to experience one day. Feeling hungry? Visit Lindsay’s Cafe.
The grounds of the Norman Lindsay Gallery and Museum are breathtaking and the perfect place for an adventure with your children. Next time you are in the Blue Mountains, stop in and have a look around. Make sure you peek into the fountain water – we found tadpoles!
