Big Saturday 1995 Peter Kingston
Peter Kingston Big Saturday 1995, Art Gallery of New South Wales © Estate of Peter Kingston
Has the host city of WorldPride 2023 ever been more affectionately documented than in the work of Peter Kingston? The central focus of Big Saturday is the refitting of McMahons Point ferry wharf on the lower north shore to accommodate larger modern ferries, spelling the end for the distinctive small vessels that Kingston had depicted so lovingly. We also get glimpses of his other artistic and political passions. At top left we can see the lights of Luna Park, with its cornucopia of amusements, reflected in Sydney Harbour. Across the top of the canvas, a Sydney Harbour pilot vessel sets out to bring a big ship safely into port. Kingston was closely involved with the long campaign to stop the redevelopment of the historic Walsh Bay piers.
This is just part of the story of a life lived in Sydney, to the full, expressed in a wide range of artistic forms. Even small gestures could have impact, such as stopping to chalk an environmental message on the footpath while walking his dog around Lavender Bay in the 2000s, knowing that then prime minister John Howard would be coming along soon on his daily power walk from Kirribilli House. Known widely as Kingo, Peter Kingston died in September 2022 and is much missed.