Local artist Ralph Steel is officially qualified as both a hand-machined compositor and an illustrator.

And for those too young to know what a compositor is (like this writer once was), it’s a type of typesetter - specifically, a person in the traditional printing industry who physically assembles individual pieces of metal type, called “sorts,” into lines of text using a composing stick. A true craft, and now, a rarity.

Steel started out as an apprentice in the newspaper industry. When his drawing skills were discovered, he was quickly given another creative role.

“I was about 16 when I was given the job of airbrushing private parts and hair from photos from Scandinavia for Man and Adam magazine, with a Thayer and Chandler airbrush - which I still have,” Steel recalled with a laugh.

From there, he went on to work for Hansen Rubensohn-McCann Erickson, a major international advertising agency, and later at a well-known art studio. 

His career took further twists: time in the army, corrective services, and rescue work, before settling into a unique printing business in Oak Flats in 1978.

“We were doing packaging printing for clients in China, New Zealand, and America. We were pretty unique printers,” he said.

“We did confectionery and pet products. We printed for BlueScope (which was BHP at the time), NMM Metals, WIN TV... So we had a pretty good business.”

Steel even contributed to National Geographic, and although he officially retired in 2000, he never stopped drawing. In fact, he’s now focused on depicting the thing that inspires him most: Kiama.

“I love Kiama. I’ve been here for about 48 years. All my children grew up here and pretty much all still live here.

“I was the original captain of the Kiama Downs Surf Club. I just love the place.”

Steel creates intricate drawings of historic buildings and significant moments from Kiama’s past - all done with extraordinary detail.

Commercial Bank building, Manning Street, Kiama c. 1890. Photo: Ralph Steel

In his artist statement, Steel writes:

“In my illustrations of Kiama and the surrounds, I have endeavoured to preserve some of its diverse but fantastic history. My pencil (graphite) sketches of these inanimate objects are not so much a record of that object in isolation, but a review of its relationship with all those whom it has had an influence …”

He’s passionate about preserving local history - and making sure it’s not forgotten.

“Most people wouldn’t know about the Brighton Hotel or the Ice Works - but they were here. The Ice Works building still stands.

Ice Factory & cold storage, wharf & warehouse. c. 1868. Photo: Ralph Steel

“I just think it’s important that we remember what people have done.”

Steel regularly shares his work on the Kiama Remembers Facebook page, but his ultimate goal is to publish a coffee table book of his illustrations.

“I’d like to put together a book with all the drawings and sketches, but get the Historical Society to write the story behind each one,” he said.

Given how detailed his work is, some of his drawings can take months to complete - which makes the idea of a public exhibition or a printed collection all the more valuable to the Kiama community.

Most recently, Steel designed the Kiama Rugby plaque that was gifted to the club by the Kiama Men’s Shed. It’s another example of his ongoing contribution to the town he calls home.

Ralph Steel is a Kiama man through and through - and his mission is clear:

“We must remember those who came before us and what they did in the places we now live.”