Local resident, Dr Peter Sheridan AM, is a flirt.

He’s flirting with perfection with his latest ground-breaking book, “Sydney Art Deco”.

This magnificent book, the ideal Christmas stocking filler, is a bible for Art Deco aficionados and cognoscenti or for those with just a passing interest in what we surround ourselves with and want to keep for future generations.

Although the term Art Deco was only coined retrospectively in the 1960s its provenance is in the early twentieth century. In 1925 the Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes World Fair was held in Paris, France.

Its centenary is in five years with Paris already gearing up for a big splash.

The fair was designed by the French government to highlight the latest architecture, interior decoration, furniture, glass, jewellery and other decorative arts to Europe and the world. Many ideas were presented for the first time at this exposition. “It was a universal style played out in almost every facet of life,” says Peter Sheridan. Haute couture, design, even radio design, posters, and jazz music were among the many areas affected. Its influence was universal and is continuing. It revelled in using rare and exotic materials of the time such as chrome, Zebrano striped wood from the Congo, Macassar, Leo Baekeland’s newly invented Bakelite and the first synthetic plastic, and shagreen, an untanned shark or stingray skin, for example.

Today, Art Deco is inherently associated with the age of elegance with its inchoate chic.

Original objet d’art are highly prized.

Peter Sheridan’s comprehensive, sumptuous 432-page book mirrors these attributes. It’s an embarrassment of riches bursting with over 350 glorious, succulent colour photographs of commercial and residential buildings as well as cinemas, shops, town halls, a funeral chapel, hotels, schools, incinerators, petrol stations, public baths, bus shelters, electricity, sub-stations, baby health centres, factories, tomb stones and even a complete crematorium.

There are over 200 rare, archival images and more than 1,000 photos; crisp imagery augmented by condensed summaries in this tour de force. While the book has clear chapters on different types of buildings, the book lends itself to be enjoyed casually with every page providing an independent focal point of interest utilising new and old photos and interesting facts.

“I have liked Art Deco since the 1980s but became enamoured with Art Deco radios in the 1990s and then all things Art Deco since. Jan and I collect Art Deco radios, art, sculpture, furniture, kitchenalia, bookends, homewares, games and toys”, says Peter.

The 2011 postcode area is well represented with more than 55-dedicated pages of historical images and easy-to-read explanations. The former Metro Cinema and Theatre in Orwell Street, graces the front cover.

Even the index, a sure sign of a carefully constructed book, and suggested walking tours are beautifully designed and helpful.

Our local famous and some less well-known apartments are carefully catalogued including over 35 local apartment blocks.

But this magnum opus goes further: it places our 2011 postcode area in its historical and social context so we can admire and celebrate our past as well as understand how and why things change and confirms why these items are worth cherishing as part of our heritage.

This award-nominated book should grace every coffee table and commercial outlet in our area.

It’s the perfect Christmas gift.

Title: Sydney Art Deco, cost $99-00

Publisher: Bakelite 2019

Author/Photographer: Peter Sheridan AM

Now available Macleay Bookshop

14 Macleay Street, Potts Point

Phone:  9331 6642

Email: shop@pottspointbookshop.com.au

Opening hours:

Mon-sat 9am to 7pm

Sunday 10am to 5pm

By Andrew Woodhouse

Heritage Solutions