2008: Portrait of a Postcode

The post code 2008 belongs to Chippendale, one of the lesser known suburbs of central Sydney.  This mere 0.7km2 area is wedged in between the four main thoroughfares of Broadway, Cleveland Street, Regent Street and City Road.   

The region's history began with the Gadigal people of the Dharug Nation but first took on its Chippendale character when William Chippendale was granted the estate in 1819.   Since then, a cultural history of heavy industry, poor housing, alcoholism, grime and crime has evolved to create a gritty and atmospheric district. The area has been dominated by the Carlton United Brewery which was built 173 years ago and is now being demolished.  The brewery was responsible for the building of much of the surrounding architecture; poor housing for its workers, and its re-development will result in a major change for the area once again.

The following series of images is a documentation of the current state of the Chippendale street face before it disappears.

They were exhibited in full sequence at aMBUSH Gallery in October 2008.

Click here to view artist statement.

© lucia fischer 2009