Photography challenge: A is for Absinthe

What do you think about when you hear the word Absinthe? Green fairy? Bohemia? Severe hangover? All of the above?

I panicked a little when I saw that ‘absinthe’ would be the first word of my challenge. What options would there be for this picture? I didn’t want to it to be the obvious shot of an absinthe bottle with pretty glass cup and fancy sugar spoon.

My first thought was to visit Brunswick St, the heart of Melbourne’s modern bohemia. As I wandered the street, I watched the eclectic mix of people, shops and urban landscape but nothing really came to me…

So back to square one.

I did a little research into Melbourne’s bohemian past and stumbled upon Grosvenor Chambers. Now an unassuming menswear store on Collins St, it was built in 1889 as Australia’s first custom built complex of artist's studios, housing many famous Australian artists such as Frederick McCubbin and Tom Roberts

In 1930, Australia artist and author Ola Cohn established a studio at Grosvenor Chambers. Undoubtedly, one of her most well-known pieces is The Fairies’ Tree, carved in the stump of an old red gum tree in the Fitzroy gardens. It was a labour of love that took her three years to complete (1931-1934) as a gift to the children of Melbourne.

"I have carved a tree in the Fitzroy Gardens for you and the fairies, but mostly for the fairies, and those who believe in them, for they will understand how necessary it is to have a fairy sanctuary - a place that is sacred and safe as a home should be to all living creatures.

Therefore, I dedicate this book to children and fairies, as it is to them I owe my inspiration."
(Foreword from her book, "The Fairies' Tree")

I am a born and bred Melburnian, but shockingly, I had never seen or heard of The Fairies' Tree before (or knew there was a mini Tudor village next to it, what the hell???). But maybe that’s just me…?

So one chilly (but sunny) Saturday in the middle of winter, I headed down to check out The Fairies’ Tree. In the time that I spent there, I can tell you there was hardly a moment when there weren’t children visiting it with their parents pointing out the various fairies and animals that were lovingly carved into the tree. It really is an impressive piece of art with an incredible amount of detail. The colours are still so vibrant for something almost 80 years old.

Lucky for me, green fairies were all around the tree truck and I had a great time trying to get that perfect shot… I am also well aware of the irony of taking a photo of a green fairy carved into a tree for children to represent Absinthe - ah c’est la vie.