Local Studies: Democratic Domain

It is now over 30 years since The Rocks, Victoria Street, Woolloomooloo, Centennial Park and Kelly’s Bush and more were saved by the Green Bans. The Green Bans were strike action taken by the Builders Labourers Federation (BLF) supported by local communities and were responsible for the saving of much of the historic buildings and precincts of the Sydney we know today.

As Jack Mundey, inspirational leader of the bans noted in his opening remarks: “Change came about because resident action groups, environmentalists, architects and engineers together with unions fought to bring about a change.” (Picturing Paradise, Mori Gallery, Sydney, 11 February, 2003)

The Green Bans Art Walk and Exhibition Project was developed in collaboration with Cross Art Projects, Big Fag Press and supported by Performance Space.

The prints were developed from water colour renditions of original documents from the archives of the Trades Hall Association, State Library of NSW.

Printed with Mickie Quick at Big Fag Press, First Draft Depot, Woolloomooloo.

Fiona MacDonald, Artist. Australia.

Green Bans 1: Victoria Street, 2011. 2 colour Offset Lithograph on 300gsm Dutch Etching paper. 76.5 x 94cm. Edition: 25. Printed by Big Fag Press

Source images: Mick Fowler¹s Jazz Funeral in ‘Seaman’s Journal’, 1979. Eviction of 115 Victoria St, 1974 photo in ‘Little Book of Green Bans’, 1974; ‘Tribune’ Negative Archive, Mitchell Library State Library NSW.

Fiona MacDonald, Artist. Australia.

Green Bans 2: Woolloomooloo, 2011. 2 colour Offset Lithograph on 300gsm Dutch Etching paper. 76.5 x 77cm. Edition: 25. Printed by Big Fag Press

Source images: found photo now in Jack Mundey archive in Trades Hall Association Collection showing Tom Uren, John Mulvenna, Joe Owens, Bob Pringle, Gerry Leonard, Mick Fowler, Nellie Leonard, 1975; and Wall Painting, 19 Harmer St., Woolloomooloo, after Marion Marrison, photograph 1974.

Fiona MacDonald, Artist. Australia.

Jack Mundey where the Green Bans Are, 2011. Watercolour, 86 x 50cm.

Fiona MacDonald, Artist. Australia.

Tribune, 29 August 1972, 2011. Watercolour, 86 x 50cm.

Fiona MacDonald, Artist. Australia.

Tom Uren and the Green Bans Phone Tree, 2011. Watercolour, 86 x 50cm.

Fiona MacDonald, Artist. Australia.

B Humble’s Scrapbook with Tree of Knowledge, 2011. Watercolour, 86 x 50cm

Fiona MacDonald, Artist. Australia.

The Green Bans Art Walk – poster and guide. Pat Armstrong and Jo Holder printed at Big Fag Press

Fiona MacDonald, Artist. Australia.

Cross Art Projects – Michael Davies and Michael Dysart centre

Fiona MacDonald, Artist. Australia.

Opening remarks Peter McClelland, president CFMEU and Jack Mundey, secretary Buliders’ Labourers Federation (BLF), 1968-1974 (now CFMEU, construction)

Fiona MacDonald, Artist. Australia.

Practical Democracy: Parking for People 2012 concertina book 25 x 70cm

Fiona MacDonald, Artist. Australia.

Practical Democracy: Parking for People 2012 concertina book 25 x 70cm

Green Bans Art Walks, Documentary Film by Justin Hewitson, 2011