Razorhurst Collection: Historic Artworks that Capture Sydney’s Untamed Era
If it’s not yours it’s nobodies.
RIOT! In Kellett Street (40 x 30)
$595
Who wouldn’t want to see a musical about Tilly and Kate joining forces to take out Phil ‘The Jew’ Geoff’s for cutting the cocaine he sold them one too many times? Two tickets please…
Chow Hayes: GUNMAN (50 x 35)
$495
Chow Hayes – killer, sociopath, but by God did he love his gal Topsy.
LOVE BY THE GUN DIE BY THE BLADE II: The Ballard of Black Aggie (50 x 35)
$595
Two gunmen. One true love. Gaffney meets the anatomy of a .303…
Kiss of Death (30 x 40)
$495
Kiss of Death delves into the life of Nellie Cameron, one of Sydney’s most infamous women during the Razorhurst era. Known for her beauty and charm, Nellie earned the nickname “Kiss of Death” due to the tragic fates of many of her lovers, who often died in their attempts to keep her affections.
A Town Between Wars (32 x 24)
$405
Jazz sung in the streets, shell shocked veterans bought cocaine from chemists on every corner and the parties ran as long as your wallet did. Can you imagine?
Worst Women in Sydney (24 x 32)
$495
The Worst Women in Sydney focuses on two of the most notorious crime figures of the Razorhurst era: Tilly Devine and Kate Leigh, often referred to as “Queen Tilly” and “Queen Kate.” Both women were powerful crime bosses who dominated Sydney’s underworld with their rival empires—Devine in prostitution and Leigh in sly grog operations. Despite their ruthless reputations, both women left a lasting mark on Sydney’s criminal history.
Fantastic Adventure! (15 x 20)
$395
In her later years, Lillian Armfield, Australia’s first female detective, became an avid reader of detective novels, an ironic twist given her own storied career battling Sydney’s criminal elite. Fantastic Adventure! is a tribute to Armfield’s twilight years, where she could indulge in the fantasy of the detective world without the danger.
The Cost of NOW (15 x 20)
$395
The Cost of NOW piece is a tribute to those who stand up for what they believe in, from union leaders like Jack Mundey to the nameless individuals who have fought for justice throughout history. This piece invites reflection on what we are willing to sacrifice for progress and how the weight of activism has been shouldered by individuals throughout Sydney’s history.
Tilly’s TOWN
$395
Tilly’s TOWN captures the height of Tilly Devine’s influence over Sydney’s underworld. Once upon a time, this city was hers. Tilly ruled with an iron fist, running illegal operations from Darlinghurst to Kings Cross. What does it mean to have ruled a city through crime, and how has this legacy shaped modern Sydney? By reflecting on Tilly’s empire, viewers are encouraged to think about how figures like her not only exploited the city but also contributed to its complex identity. The piece prompts questions about survival, dominance, and the lasting influence of those who once wielded unchecked power in a rapidly changing urban landscape.
Jack Mundey! (18 x 24)
$395
Celebrates Jack Mundey, the evolutionary union leader and environmental activist who fought to preserve the historical character of Sydney’s inner-city suburbs. Known as the “King of The Rocks,” Mundey led the Green Bans movement, halting the destruction of historic sites and ensuring that development was sustainable and community-focused.
Poor Traits
Other works and stories
Ramjet (30 x 20)
Victoria Street (32 x 40)
$595
This piece tells the story of Juanita Nielsen, and is set at the site of her last home, a home shrouded in mystery and controversy. Juanita was a journalist and activist who fiercely opposed the development of Victoria Street, challenging powerful interests tied to Sydney’s property market. Her disappearance in 1975 remains unsolved, leaving behind questions about corruption and the power dynamics at play.
