Empty Passage - Framed

Distant Conversations

‘Empty Passage’ Drypoint by Kyla Cresswell

330mm 300mm print in a black frame

This drypoint reflects the quiet of the usually busy Wellington harbour passage during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. Living on the coast at the harbour entrance, we are in tune with the regularity of the ferries—the thrum of their engines causes the glasses cabinet to rattle while the lights glide by at night—and the numerous freight ships, piled high with colourful containers, have been a subject of my photographs for the last 15 years.

There has been a great sense of being connected and made aware of the goings on in the city through seeing the various ships pass. Cruise ships with a load of overseas visitors set to experience Wellington, fishing trawlers with a fresh catch, recreational kayakers, the NIWA boat heading out for scientific research, and yachts setting off for the sounds. It’s easy to imagine the lives and destinations of those onboard. We have even been known to wave large colourful blankets from the beach at the ferries to bid our friends on an Inter-Islander goodbye. However, the lockdown ended all cruise ships, the ferries still ran with freight but the harbour was so empty, with few signs of human life. One of the points of connection with the outside world was lost; only the empty harbour passage with the headland of Baring Head and the cry of the black backed gulls remained.