The Passage of Place

Through Time is a collection of photographic artworks that unite historic archives with contemporary photography, creating a visual bridge between past and present. Each image reveals the evolution of iconic locations while honouring the people, architecture and stories that shaped them.

The Australian Arms Hotel

Through Time

Standing proudly on the corner of High and Lawson Streets in Penrith, the Australian Arms Hotel has been a landmark and gathering place for generations. Originally established in the nineteenth century and rebuilt in its distinctive Art Deco style during the 1930s, the hotel has witnessed decades of change as Penrith evolved from a rural township into one of Western Sydney's major centres. Throughout its history, the Australian Arms has served as a meeting place for travellers, locals, workers and families, becoming an enduring part of the city's social fabric.

This image creates a visual bridge between two eras. The historic photograph from the 1930s captures the hotel during an earlier chapter of Penrith's story, complete with vintage motor vehicles, period dress and a streetscape that reflects the character of the time. Carefully aligned with a contemporary photograph taken by Scott Moore in November 2026, the artwork allows past and present to occupy the same space.

The transition from monochrome to colour highlights nearly a century of change while revealing how much of the building's character has remained intact. The historic figures appear to step into today's streetscape, creating a compelling conversation between generations. Modern traffic lights, contemporary architecture and vibrant colours contrast with the simpler streetscape of the 1930s, emphasising Penrith's growth while celebrating the preservation of an important local landmark.

Through the careful blending of two moments separated by almost one hundred years, viewers are invited to reflect on the passing of time and the enduring presence of the Australian Arms Hotel in the heart of Penrith.

Bussell Bros. Limited

Through Time

For many decades, Bussell Bros. was one of Penrith's best-known retail businesses, serving the local community from its prominent location on High Street. Established as a family-operated department store, Bussell Bros. became a cornerstone of shopping in the district, offering everything from clothing and footwear to household goods and general merchandise. Long before major shopping centres arrived in Western Sydney, businesses such as Bussell Bros. formed the commercial heart of Penrith, where generations of local families shopped, worked and gathered.

The large façade, proudly displaying the words "Bussell Bros. Limited" and "Branches Everywhere", reflected both the ambition and success of the business during a period when High Street was the centre of economic and social activity for the growing township.

This image brings together two moments in Penrith's history. A historic photograph of the Bussell Bros. store has been carefully merged with a contemporary photograph taken in November of 2026, creating a seamless connection between past and present. The monochrome storefront, complete with period signage and shoppers from another era, sits alongside the modern streetscape of High Street, allowing viewers to witness nearly a century of transformation in a single frame.

The contrast between the archival image and today's vibrant scene highlights how Penrith has evolved. Modern businesses, contemporary architecture, upgraded streetscapes and present-day vehicles tell the story of a thriving regional city, while the preserved historic façade serves as a reminder of the retailers and local enterprises that helped shape the community's foundations.

By blending these two photographs, this artwork reveals more than just architectural change. It captures the continuity of place, the passage of time and the enduring spirit of High Street as the commercial heart of Penrith. The figures from the past appear to stand once again before the store, creating a powerful visual reminder that while businesses may change, the stories embedded within the streets remain.

This image celebrates Penrith's rich heritage by uniting historical archives with contemporary photography, preserving local history and allowing past generations to share the same streetscape as those of today.

High Street Through Time

Penrith's Journey from Horse and Cart to Modern City

High Street has long been the heart of Penrith, serving as the town's principal commercial thoroughfare since the nineteenth century. Lined with businesses, hotels, stores and civic buildings, it was the centre of everyday life, where residents gathered, traded, travelled and celebrated. In the early years, horse-drawn vehicles shared the road with pedestrians, and many of the buildings that defined Penrith's streetscape reflected the optimism and growth of a flourishing country town.

The historic image featured in this artwork was photographed by Charles Kerry in 1906, and preserved within the Penrith City Library Local History Collection, captures a fascinating glimpse of High Street during an earlier era. The original photograph, attributed within the library's archives to one of Penrith's early local photographers, documents a time when towering shade trees lined the street and horse-drawn transport remained an essential part of daily life. The image serves as an invaluable record of Penrith's development and the people who helped build the community that exists today.

This artwork combines that historic photograph with a contemporary image I captured in November 2026, creating a seamless visual journey across more than a century of change. The transition from sepia-toned history to vibrant modern colour reveals the remarkable transformation of Penrith while maintaining a connection to its past. The lone figure from the historic scene appears to walk directly into the present day, symbolising the generations who have travelled this same street before us.

Modern vehicles, contemporary shopfronts and today's urban landscape contrast with the dirt roadway, timber buildings and horse-drawn carriage of the original photograph. Yet despite the evolution of the streetscape, the alignment of the two images reveals something enduring. High Street remains the beating heart of Penrith, continuing its role as a place where people live, work and connect.

This photographic artwork celebrates the preservation of local history through the merging of archival imagery and contemporary photography. By bringing together two moments separated by generations, the piece invites viewers to reflect on the passage of time and to appreciate how the stories of the past continue to shape the Penrith we know today.