Our industrial landscape is disappearing from the inner shores of Sydney. One artist who has been busy documenting it is Jane Bennett.

Bennett is a much awarded Sydney artist whose work over the last few decades has been in documenting the industrial landscape. Her watercolours have won Pring prizes and the Trustees prize for Watercolour in the Wynne Prize.

The current exhibition UNDER THE HAMMER focuses on the Hammerhead Crane on Garden Island which has now been almost completely demolished. Jane painted it ‘en plen air’ on Garden Island and, in her words, captures the “18th Century concept of the sublime” with this “toppled giant”.

Jane’s industrial history through art is a worthy and well executed pursuit. It draws the viewer into the massive structures.

Other paintings in the exhibition depict the streetscapes around Millers Point as well as other ‘points’ around Sydney Harbour. Again the observer is drawn in and down the streets.

Surprisingly, the paintings start from only a few hundred dollars.

Jane Bennett’s paintings have been likened to those of Jeffrey Smart , especially in terms of their subject matter and stark colour. Bennett, however, uses more atmospheric cloud and greys, and I feel that she embraces the viewer more.

In opening the current exhibition, Peter Collins, ex-politician and current art collector implored the audience to “Get Smart, Buy Bennett”.

Jane Bennett’s exhibition UNDER THE HAMMER is on at the Frances Keevil Gallery until 7th December.

For more about Under the Hammer, visit http://franceskeevilgallery.com.au