Newtown is arguably one of the most eclectic and well-known areas of Sydney. Long celebrated for its diversity, the suburb is a safe haven for the alternative and quirky. And then there’s the delicious food – Mary’s fried chicken, anyone?
For the past five years, photographer and Newtown resident Nic Bezzina has been photographing the personalities who inhabit some of Newtown’s best-known shops, eateries and venues. His endeavour has culminated in a free exhibition at the State Library of NSW called Shopkeepers of Newtown.
The BRAG caught up with Bezzina to chat about some of his favourite and most memorable subjects from his exhibition (all photographs courtesy Nic Bezzina).
1. Julio – Caramba Hats
428 King Street, Newtown
“Julio is an eccentric Bohemian artist type. He’s got a lot of stories to tell and is very funny. I would recommend having a chat with him if you get the opportunity. He’ll probably serenade you with a flamenco guitar cover while guessing the size of your head.”
2. Russall Beattie – The Vanguard
42 King Street, Newtown
“The Vanguard became a little bit of a no-name venue for a while there until Russall took it over. He revitalised the whole burlesque scene in Sydney with his Star Wars burlesque. The Vanguard was the home to the birth of that and it’s really become an iconic venue in that scene. I really love [this shot of Russall] because it’s a lot different to the rest, because it was constructed with stage lighting.”
3. Marie and Steve – Dean’s Diner
385 King Street, Newtown
“I love the shot of Dean’s Diner, which is a little hamburger joint next to the Newtown Social Club. It’s just one of those shots of a couple and their intimacy as they run a burger shop. I feel like it’s a very Australian shot, and I personally know the guys and they’re very sweet.”
4. Don – Fiji Market
591 King Street, Newtown
“They’ve been there for over 30 years and are one of the original shops in Newtown. Don’s a lovely guy and has a lot of interesting stories. In the shot he has his arms crossed and you can see his hand, and he’s actually missing a finger. I remember asking him [before the photograph was taken] to make sure that all of his fingers were visible; otherwise it might look like he’s missing one. He held his hand up, and he was missing one!”
This final entry isn’t about a particular person, which is really quite appropriate when it comes to Newtown. Oftentimes it’s the buildings and establishments themselves that radiate personality and a quirky kind of ambience.
5. Young Henry’s
Units D and E, 76 Wilford Street, Newtown
“They’ve come up in the last couple of years, not only as a successful business, but they kind of represent what Newtown is about: punk rock and commerce. They put on a lot of community events and they even have a beer called The Newtowner. That kind of kinship to a community has really made that brand really special in Newtown.”
Nic Bezzina’s Shopkeepers of Newtown exhibit is showing at the State Library of NSW from Saturday November 1 – Sunday May 10.
