Lockdown — a challenge. As I write this, Sydney, my home, is in full lockdown again, since 26 June 2021. But one positive thing is, it has been a quieter time to paint more and reflect.
Who remembers the Ruby Princess? She docked in Sydney Harbour on 19 March 2020.
This ship is not the Ruby Princess. On this beautiful day only a few weeks prior to that, The Rocks and the Harbour were sunny and carefree. The Rocks is the most historic part of Sydney and a must-see area for tourists. Old buildings in the district are charmingly small, letting the sun peek into the streets and corners. I glimpsed a cruise ship through a gap between buildings. It seemed as if the ship and buildings were mingling in a relaxed way at some friendly get-together. I took a photo.
I envisioned the visitors to be full of enthusiasm and goodwill, exploring the area, keen to see what the day would bring. Perhaps the day ended with an apricot sunset.
No one could know how quickly our lives would change due to the pandemic, starting with the arrival of another cruise ship, the Ruby Princess. Despite fever cases on board, all 2,700 passengers were freely allowed to disembark without proper screening and were encouraged to travel by train, taxi and planes to their next destination.
A senior Australian Border Force officer let them leave, mistakenly believing the passengers displaying “flu-like symptoms” had tested negative to COVID-19, when they had instead tested negative to the flu. At least 900 people later tested positive to COVID-19. But the virus did not spread as extensively into the community as some had feared.
Unfortunately there were difficult, long delays for the ship staff, trapped on board for some time after the passengers had left. At last they disembarked late in April 2020.
But in this painting, I present to you a scene just a blink before that time, a pre-pandemic day embodying light and leisure, pretty buildings in warm sunshine, travel memories with friends and family, sparkling blue water and clear skies. Enjoy!
“Cruise Ship Appearing in Sydney, March 2020” Oil on cradled birch board. Unframed size 46cm x 61cm .
