New Zealand Odyssey: Chelsea Sugar Refinery wharf, Birkenhead, Auckland

'New Zealand Odyssey', published in 1989 by Heinemann, was authored by Don Donovan (who did the text and illustrations) and Euan Sarginson, who did the photography and design. In this series of blog posts, I will publish some of my drawings.

   

This complex of buildings that can be seen across Auckland Harbour from the city side upstream from its 'coat hanger' bridge has always fascinated me. It's such an intriguing Disneyland jumble of shapes, sizes and colours and lends itself to illustration. It dates to 1883 after which the first consignments of raw sugar from Indonesia were unloaded for refining.

I sold the original of this watercolour to a friend of mine who was also head of an engineering company who had a lot to do with construction at the refinery. He was appalled at my cavalier treatment of the wharf which, he complained, had taken so much skill, intellect and work to complete, and here it was, a few lines dashed off by an impatient artist!

© DON DONOVAN

donovan@ihug.co.nz