B.

Sweet Caroline

Behind the scenes

I've enjoyed Albert James Rae's moody mezzotint landscapes and finely observed and etched portraits since a large folio of his work was acquired for the collection in 2001.   

Albert James Rae Mt Sefton From Mueller Hut. Mezzotint. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased 2001. Reproduced with permission

Albert James Rae Mt Sefton From Mueller Hut. Mezzotint. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased 2001. Reproduced with permission

Albert James Rae Untitled. Etching. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased 2001.Reproduced with permission.

Albert James Rae Untitled. Etching. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased 2001.
Reproduced with permission.

Until recently, however, I didn't realise they included this view of Caroline Bay in Timaru.

Albert James Rae Caroline Bay. Etching. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased 2001. Reproduced with permission

Albert James Rae Caroline Bay. Etching. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, purchased 2001. Reproduced with permission

It's a place that's very familiar to me through my childhood memories of the Caroline Bay carnival, a seaside extravaganza that recently celebrated its centenary. I suspect that the years I attended while holidaying with relatives in Timaru in the mid eighties may not have exactly been its heyday - the recent picture below from the Carnival website looks a lot more picturesque than the slightly seedy, keep-your-hand-on-your-purse-and-don't-talk-to-strange-men atmosphere I recall. Nevertheless, the sideshows, ghost train, Sound Shell, improbably large chocolate wheel and vomit-inducing carnival rides (anyone remember the Octopus?) were a highlight of the blistering South Canterbury summer for my sister and me.

Caroline Bay Carnival, from the official website.

Caroline Bay Carnival, from the official website.