William Ferrier

(Scottish, 1855-1922)

Caroline Bay

1918

Born in Edinburgh, William Ferrier immigrated to Aotearoa in 1869 and set up a photography studio in Timaru in 1881. He became one of South Canterbury's longest serving and best-known photographers, while also painting and helping found the South Canterbury Arts Society.

In Caroline Bay, Ferrier presents this iconic Timaru site as almost entirely unpeopled. A distant steaming factory chimney is the main sign of occupation, while a soaring gull links foreground to middle distance. Houses nestle among vegetation around the bay, with views north toward Te Kiekie (Mount Somers), Tarahaoa (Big Mount Peel), Huatekerekere (Little Mount Peel), and Ōpuke (Mount Hutt).

Ferrier's controlled watercolour technique and warm, soft palette evoke the yellow sand, green clay seabed, and purple-brown foothills beyond.

Watercolour on paper Donated by Paterson Family AAG.1983.20