here is a story about an old friend of mine
-http://www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/bulletin/0006/bulletin%20jun%2000.htm#Expedition
**also a test of my skill to get pics to load**
Mark Sheriff - The Heart of the Matter
[by Deborah Taylor]
If I might borrow a title from Graham Greene, it's all about the 'Heart of the Matter'.
Though most of our lighthouses are now automated, there are a handful of Keepers who take on a caretaker's role. All of them are extremely dedicated and Mark Sheriff, of Sugarloaf Point in New South Wales is one of these people. There is one small difference though, as Mark's work at the lighthouse is also an extension of his art or perhaps it is the other way around.
His priority of course is maintenance first and foremost but Mark believes in personalizing the environment in which he lives, wherever that is at any given time. As a relief Keeper, postings vary from state to state ranging from a few months to a few years. The beautification process extends far beyond the obvious to the subtle and delicate. His work is a complimentary mixture of contemporary and traditional, though both styles are separately applied with sensibility and respect.
I have not been to Sugarloaf, nor have I actually met Mark except over the telephone, but I remember the trip to Green Cape where he was stationed prior to his present commission. For regular bulletin readers, this trip coincided with our journey to the Point Perpendicular centenary celebrations in October '99.
Mark was stationed there some years prior and prodigiously worked to restore the complex. As the residence was occupied at the time, we were not able to view his work in the interior and I must admit at that time, Mark Sheriff was pretty much another name among so many of the dedicated people I was to encounter. The locals, though, were so proud of his work and enthusiasm; he was pretty much a local hero.
The sextant painted on the handpainted dado.
[Photograph: Mark Sheriff]
When we made our way to Green Cape to meet Richard Jermyn, the present Keeper, he too told us of Mark's work when he was stationed there. Before I had a chance to see much of what he had accomplished, I noticed a simple motif that would change my perception.
As we walked along the path between the tower and the residence I noticed a large horizontal gas tank. On one end was a circular motif of two dolphins. This is, in itself, probably one of Mark's smaller pieces, but I was struck by its placement and self-contained simplicity. One might have walked that path a thousand times, but only an artist like Mark would see the potential for a punctuation mark between two dominating structures commanding attention.
You may think this is an odd way to introduce you to an artist who has accomplished big things, but I think it is important to understand what this really means. Art is not all about entertaining the obvious. While technical ability is one thing, a good thing yes, the ultimate gift is this combined with a finely tuned sense of perception and awareness that the applied design both harmonizes with, yet accentuates that of its foundation. That is to say that if a design is applied to a piece or a structure or whatever and enhances that piece, and then conversely, it should look as though it was always meant to be there.
The lighthouse station rescue boat.
[Photograph: Mark Sheriff]
With this in mind, Richard began to tell us of the work Mark had done in restoring the residences and of his decorative work inside the tower. Unfortunately, most of the work inside the lighthouse was painted over by contract painters some time back, but the fine scrollwork on the pedestal beneath the beacon is still there
The fine scrollwork on the Green Cape clock mechanism.
[Photograph: Ian Clifford]
Inside the residence he explained how the woodwork, the doors, architraves and windows had been stripped back to reveal their natural beauty. Apparently this was the case with Point Perpendicular and is so with Sugarloaf. Mark's other traditional based works include leadlight windows and giving the station's old boat a bright new coat of paint.
Mark Sheriff painting the Macquarie Lighthouse. [Photograph: Jeanne Eve]
Mark Sheriff painting the Macquarie Lighthouse.
[Photograph: Jeanne Eve]
Mark's priority has always been to keep the stations in immaculate condition, so he spends a great deal of his time either painting or mowing lawns (on his ride-on mower painted with zebra stripes). When he is not performing his usual duties he spends most of his time redecorating and renovating.
The forshortened ships on the fridge door.
[Photograph: Mark Sheriff]
As well as retaining sympathy for tradition, his contemporary works give the lighthouses and their compounds a fresh appeal, inviting them to co-exist with the new world. It is a rare mixture of respect and playfulness, considered design and spontaneity.
The garage doors of ships and lighthouses at Sugarloaf Point.
[Photograph: Mark Sheriff]
The garage doors are painted with geometric patterns of foreshortened ships, and lighthouses which harmonize with the large format of the paneled doors, while a similar ship design also adorns his refrigerator. The garden is sprinkled with contemporary sculptures and furniture, while my unreserved favourite is the paper effigy of a man illuminated by the lighthouse lantern itself. There are numerous motifs of the nautical theme, boats and anchors on walls and of coarse he paints on canvas too!
point perpendicular
The tower dummy on wheels.
[Photograph: Mark Sheriff
The tower dummy illuminated by the lantern.
[Photograph: Mark Sheriff]
Well, you might think that this is a pretty full agenda, but Mark is very dedicated to his partner Cath and their little daughter and I guess this is what strikes me as refreshing that he has room for everyone and everything.
So what does Mark do in his spare time? Well, he surfs, swims, dives for crayfish and goes fishing. He also plays the saxophone and eats unreasonable amounts of chocolate!
When Mark kindly agreed to speak to me over the phone regarding this article, it also struck me that he saw life as something to ride with and not against, that when confronted with the worst he is able to move on and when Government contractors paint over and obliterate his efforts, he treats this in much the same context. And do you want to know something else? He doesn't get paid a single cent. He buys most of his own paint and supplies.
When Malcolm and Smithy and I discussed the planning of this article we wanted to prioritize the emphasis of bringing to you the good news about lighthouse preservation and all the work that goes on behind the scenes, just like the life and work of Mark Sheriff.
In a world that seems to be increasingly pre-occupied by 'what's in it for me?' and a general insensitivity to the more labour intensive pursuits, it is comforting to know about people like Mark.
The decorated chimneys at Sugarloaf Point. [Photograph: Mark Sheriff]
To me it's all about the heart of the matter, to love what you do and do what you love, without forgetting why, without forgetting others and without the need to prove how or why.
Deborah Taylor.
**first try fail--try again**
-http://www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/bulletin/0006/Lighthouse%20Leadlight%20ic%201.jpghttp://www.lighthouse.net.au
/lights/bulletin/0006/Lighthouse%20Leadlight%20ic%201.jpg
-http://www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/bulletin/0006/Balloon%20Ships%20Refrigerator%20ms%202.jpg
**ok that's two pics,I see how it goes**
edit tried another pic a different way
edit 2 more pics,got the hang now,knock on wood
-http://www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/bulletin/0006/bulletin%20jun%2000.htm#Expedition
**also a test of my skill to get pics to load**
Mark Sheriff - The Heart of the Matter
[by Deborah Taylor]
If I might borrow a title from Graham Greene, it's all about the 'Heart of the Matter'.
Though most of our lighthouses are now automated, there are a handful of Keepers who take on a caretaker's role. All of them are extremely dedicated and Mark Sheriff, of Sugarloaf Point in New South Wales is one of these people. There is one small difference though, as Mark's work at the lighthouse is also an extension of his art or perhaps it is the other way around.
His priority of course is maintenance first and foremost but Mark believes in personalizing the environment in which he lives, wherever that is at any given time. As a relief Keeper, postings vary from state to state ranging from a few months to a few years. The beautification process extends far beyond the obvious to the subtle and delicate. His work is a complimentary mixture of contemporary and traditional, though both styles are separately applied with sensibility and respect.
I have not been to Sugarloaf, nor have I actually met Mark except over the telephone, but I remember the trip to Green Cape where he was stationed prior to his present commission. For regular bulletin readers, this trip coincided with our journey to the Point Perpendicular centenary celebrations in October '99.
Mark was stationed there some years prior and prodigiously worked to restore the complex. As the residence was occupied at the time, we were not able to view his work in the interior and I must admit at that time, Mark Sheriff was pretty much another name among so many of the dedicated people I was to encounter. The locals, though, were so proud of his work and enthusiasm; he was pretty much a local hero.
The sextant painted on the handpainted dado.
[Photograph: Mark Sheriff]
When we made our way to Green Cape to meet Richard Jermyn, the present Keeper, he too told us of Mark's work when he was stationed there. Before I had a chance to see much of what he had accomplished, I noticed a simple motif that would change my perception.
As we walked along the path between the tower and the residence I noticed a large horizontal gas tank. On one end was a circular motif of two dolphins. This is, in itself, probably one of Mark's smaller pieces, but I was struck by its placement and self-contained simplicity. One might have walked that path a thousand times, but only an artist like Mark would see the potential for a punctuation mark between two dominating structures commanding attention.
You may think this is an odd way to introduce you to an artist who has accomplished big things, but I think it is important to understand what this really means. Art is not all about entertaining the obvious. While technical ability is one thing, a good thing yes, the ultimate gift is this combined with a finely tuned sense of perception and awareness that the applied design both harmonizes with, yet accentuates that of its foundation. That is to say that if a design is applied to a piece or a structure or whatever and enhances that piece, and then conversely, it should look as though it was always meant to be there.
The lighthouse station rescue boat.
[Photograph: Mark Sheriff]
With this in mind, Richard began to tell us of the work Mark had done in restoring the residences and of his decorative work inside the tower. Unfortunately, most of the work inside the lighthouse was painted over by contract painters some time back, but the fine scrollwork on the pedestal beneath the beacon is still there
The fine scrollwork on the Green Cape clock mechanism.
[Photograph: Ian Clifford]
Inside the residence he explained how the woodwork, the doors, architraves and windows had been stripped back to reveal their natural beauty. Apparently this was the case with Point Perpendicular and is so with Sugarloaf. Mark's other traditional based works include leadlight windows and giving the station's old boat a bright new coat of paint.
Mark Sheriff painting the Macquarie Lighthouse. [Photograph: Jeanne Eve]
Mark Sheriff painting the Macquarie Lighthouse.
[Photograph: Jeanne Eve]
Mark's priority has always been to keep the stations in immaculate condition, so he spends a great deal of his time either painting or mowing lawns (on his ride-on mower painted with zebra stripes). When he is not performing his usual duties he spends most of his time redecorating and renovating.
The forshortened ships on the fridge door.
[Photograph: Mark Sheriff]
As well as retaining sympathy for tradition, his contemporary works give the lighthouses and their compounds a fresh appeal, inviting them to co-exist with the new world. It is a rare mixture of respect and playfulness, considered design and spontaneity.
The garage doors of ships and lighthouses at Sugarloaf Point.
[Photograph: Mark Sheriff]
The garage doors are painted with geometric patterns of foreshortened ships, and lighthouses which harmonize with the large format of the paneled doors, while a similar ship design also adorns his refrigerator. The garden is sprinkled with contemporary sculptures and furniture, while my unreserved favourite is the paper effigy of a man illuminated by the lighthouse lantern itself. There are numerous motifs of the nautical theme, boats and anchors on walls and of coarse he paints on canvas too!
point perpendicular
The tower dummy on wheels.
[Photograph: Mark Sheriff
The tower dummy illuminated by the lantern.
[Photograph: Mark Sheriff]
Well, you might think that this is a pretty full agenda, but Mark is very dedicated to his partner Cath and their little daughter and I guess this is what strikes me as refreshing that he has room for everyone and everything.
So what does Mark do in his spare time? Well, he surfs, swims, dives for crayfish and goes fishing. He also plays the saxophone and eats unreasonable amounts of chocolate!
When Mark kindly agreed to speak to me over the phone regarding this article, it also struck me that he saw life as something to ride with and not against, that when confronted with the worst he is able to move on and when Government contractors paint over and obliterate his efforts, he treats this in much the same context. And do you want to know something else? He doesn't get paid a single cent. He buys most of his own paint and supplies.
When Malcolm and Smithy and I discussed the planning of this article we wanted to prioritize the emphasis of bringing to you the good news about lighthouse preservation and all the work that goes on behind the scenes, just like the life and work of Mark Sheriff.
In a world that seems to be increasingly pre-occupied by 'what's in it for me?' and a general insensitivity to the more labour intensive pursuits, it is comforting to know about people like Mark.
The decorated chimneys at Sugarloaf Point. [Photograph: Mark Sheriff]
To me it's all about the heart of the matter, to love what you do and do what you love, without forgetting why, without forgetting others and without the need to prove how or why.
Deborah Taylor.
**first try fail--try again**
-http://www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/bulletin/0006/Lighthouse%20Leadlight%20ic%201.jpghttp://www.lighthouse.net.au
/lights/bulletin/0006/Lighthouse%20Leadlight%20ic%201.jpg
-http://www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/bulletin/0006/Balloon%20Ships%20Refrigerator%20ms%202.jpg
**ok that's two pics,I see how it goes**
edit tried another pic a different way
edit 2 more pics,got the hang now,knock on wood
