Where paintings come to life
Mosman Art Trail is a new initiative which takes walkers to 10 scenic locations between Mosman Bay and Pearl Bay, highlighting the area’s natural beauty.
A series of interpretive signs at viewpoints along the 10-kilometre trail provide insights into 12 notable paintings from Mosman Art Gallery’s The Balnaves Gift that are inspired by sites on the trail.
The late Neil Balnaves was a long-term Mosman resident, businessman and philanthropist who, in 2010, donated The Balnaves Gift, 16 Australian Impressionist and early 20th- century paintings, to Mosman Art Gallery.
The artworks depict the area through the eyes of Australian artists such as Arthur Streeton and Margaret Preston.
It was during COVID-19 lockdowns, when Neil walked the tracks of Mosman, that he found joy in experiencing the same scenery depicted in the paintings he’d donated.
He wanted to share that with others and proposed what is now the Mosman Art Trail, with key paintings from The Balnaves Gift reproduced on outdoor signs placed at the artists’ viewpoints.
After Neil’s passing in 2022, his wife Diane and children Hamish and Victoria completed the project in his memory through The Balnaves Foundation, and the art was brought to life with the support of Mosman Council, Mosman Art Gallery and the Sydney Harbour Trust.
Spoken word commentary is read by actor Claudia Karvan at each viewpoint, explaining the history of each work and is accessible via QR code on the signs along the trail and on the art gallery website.
John Cheeseman, director of Mosman Art Gallery, says Neil saw his art donation as a gift to the people of Mosman.
Mayor Corrigan, John Cheeseman and Diane Balnaves at the launch
“They’re all works from his personal home. The Arthur Streetman used to sit right above his desk,” John says.
“But he recognised that, instead of a 100 people a year seeing them at home, a 100,000 people would see them a year at Mosman Art Gallery. And he was always motivated by the educational aspects of the works.”
In an interview back in 2021, Neil said The Balnaves Gift represented more to him than simply donating a valuable collection of paintings. “It’s giving an art collection that has meaning to the community,” he said. “You could really teach children a lot more about art if you can relate it to the community in which they live.”
John says some of the paintings are almost identical to what we can see today, whereas some have just a hint.
“If you look at House Boats painted by John William Ashton in 1937, you can still see the very last houseboat today in Pearl Bay.
“But you can see changes. Even in something like Susan Rothwell’s Balmoral Shark Net, (around 2008), where the shark net is now gone,” John explains. “The natural environment has stayed the same, so it shows a sort of evolution of place.”
John says although the complete trail might not be accessible for everyone, the Balmoral section is accessible with three viewpoints an easy distance apart.
A children’s art trail map provides activities developed with educationalists to engage younger visitors.
“This is a great excuse for people to explore the amazing landscapes and artistic heritage of Mosman,” says John. “It will rejuvenate and bring a new sense of place to people.”
Visitors can see the original artworks at Mosman Art Gallery.
Plan your day out by visiting mosmanartgallery.org.au