Nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row of modest shopfronts stee… Nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row… — shown in a room setting Nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row of modest shopfronts stee… Nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row of modest shopfronts stee… Nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row of m… — artist's signature Nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row of modest sho… — edge view Nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row of modest shopfr… — detail Nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row of modest… — shown hanging
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Nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row of modest shopfronts stee…
Nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row… — shown in a room setting
Nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row of modest shopfronts stee…
Nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row of modest shopfronts stee…
Nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row of m… — artist's signature
Nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row of modest sho… — edge view
Nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row of modest shopfr… — detail
Nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row of modest… — shown hanging
Painting by Fiona Sultana-Smith 22 Artworks Sold

Time for a Capatan

Oil, Wood, Framed by Artist

42.7cm (W) x 42.7cm (H) x 4.5cm (D)

Certificate of Authenticity Included
A$850

Artwork Description

Time for a Capstan
Dilapidated House, Glebe Point Road, Glebe 1957

City Planning Department Negatives, 1951-1963
This nostalgic glimpse into mid-century Sydney looks northeast across Glebe Point Road, capturing a row of modest shopfronts steeped in character. On the right, number 5 houses a Lawrence dry cleaning shop, while Peter Mills, a plumber and gasfitter, operates from number 7, and W. McGhee, a boot repairer, from number 9.

To the left, at number 13, a tobacconist and café share a façade adorned with vibrant signage. The tobacconist promotes popular cigarette brands like “Turf” and “Craven A,” while the café invites passersby with promises of “Tasty Grills and Hamburgers” and breakfast from 8:30 a.m. A man lingers outside the tobacconist under the sign “Time for a Capstan,” evoking a sense of everyday life in a bygone era.

From the City Planning Department Negatives, 1951–1963.

Artist Bio
Photo of Fiona Sultana-Smith
Fiona Sultana-Smith 40 artworks | 22 Sold

I started drawing when I was 6 years of age, focusing on birds and country homes. Now I’m obsessed with rubber block printing, as it’s so relaxing to etch away. Also enjoy printing fabrics to make vintage handmade toys and currently revelling in oil painting on canvas. I’m based in Wahroonga, right against the Lane Cove National Park, with amazing bush tracks on my doorstep. I studied Graphic Design and Finished Art at TAFE and envied the Fine Arts students.

I mostly paint what I see around me, from kitchen gadgets, bush tracks, historical buildings or Australian homes, but no object is off limits. I believe a painting should look like a painting, not a photo. It needs depth, fresh tones and an eye-catching scene, as well as long shadows and clean colours. My sketchbook is filled with drawings and watercolours, a great pass-time just for me.

Always looking at my surroundings with an eye for another subject matter to immortalise on canvas, no inspirational opportunity is lost, from home to abroad. Once the chosen item has been decided, particular focus on the sun’s reflective properties and shadows are paramount to achieve the correct lighting. A painting always begins with a sketch and I love the drawing process. Once transferred to canvas, it all comes together with colours and tones to make the composition work. To see my art displayed in people’s homes is truly gratifying, as it’s my dream to reach more homes.