fitzroyalty

Two weekends ago I went to Ballarat to see the Foto Biennale, a huge photography exhibition spread across multiple sites in Ballarat and nearby towns. I focused on the core program exhibited in the Ballarat gallery, the town hall, the mining exchange and the trade’s hall.

I was very impressed with the Tim Griffith photos of skyscrapers and other new architecture across Asia at the Ballarat gallery. My favourite was Nathalie Daoust’s series of artistic facedowns ‘Frozen in time’, also at the gallery.

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While visiting Ballarat for the day recently to see the Foto Biennale I had an excellent lunch with friends at the Europa cafe. From top to bottom: kangaroo with sweet potato mash, five spice eggplant and beetroot relish; a variation on Imam bayildi – an eggplant dish that was more like a curry – with cous cous and yoghurt; salmon with kipfler potatoes and poached egg; and a beef bourguignon pie with chips and salad. Visiting Ballarat is most enjoyable when there are such good places to eat, and I have also had great meals at Bibo, L’Espresso and Eclectic Tastes.

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Lake Wendouree in Ballarat is completely dry, and has been for over two years. It’s surreal to see signs warning you not to swim when there is no water to swim in!

The twentieth century collection at the Ballarat fine art gallery is considerable, with fine examples of the most revered Australian artists and some works I was not familiar. I’ve always been an admirer of Charles Blackman, and ‘Street Scene’, 1960 is impressive.

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