Sydney Contemporary 2024 at Carriageworks

Sydney Contemporary returns to Carriageworks for four days of art and creativity in September. It features one of the largest gatherings of contemporary art galleries in Australasia – more than 85 in total, representing over 400 artists – and every work on display is for sale, so you can take a piece of the fair home with you.

The fair’s main Galleries sector presents renowned local institutions like Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery and Olsen Gallery alongside first-time participants such as Gajah Gallery (Jakarta/Singapore/Yogyakarta), Lennox St Gallery (Melbourne) and The Renshaws (Brisbane). There’s also an ambitious line-up of large-scale installations, experimental performances, topical (and sometimes controversial) panel discussions, artist talks, tours led by industry experts, and more.

As always, there are a few specialised sectors within the fair. Future showcases new works from emerging galleries and project spaces, while Works on Paper is a “fair within the fair” dedicated to contemporary works on paper. Drop by for prints, artist books, watercolours, and drawings from both emerging artists and established names like Emily Kame Kngwarreye and Patricia Piccinini.

As part of Installation Contemporary, visitors can see major works in unexpected locations around Carriageworks. APY Art Centre Collective presents the latest piece in the Kulata Tjuta (many spears) project by senior Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands artists; Neon Parc presents large, colourful text works by David McDiarmid, a leading Sydney artists and activist who died of AIDS in 1995, and Transformer, a portal by Melbourne’s Darren Sylvester made from 40 metres of blue neon lights; and Ames Yavuz presents a life-size avatar by leading young Southeast Asian artist Yeo Kaa.

The fair kicks off on Thursday September 5 with an after-dark special called Art Night. Expect music and performances throughout the evening, including a live appearance by multidisciplinary artist HOSSEI and sets from Philippines-born, Blue Mountains-based DJ Charlie Villas.

On September 6, the fair stays open late for the Friday Night celebration, with live music from electronic harpist Jake Meadows and the acclaimed Mike Nock Trio in the Art Bar. Enjoy food pop-ups daily including dumplings, small plates, paninis, salads, gourmet pastas and more, plus drinks from Campari, Four Pillars Gin, Yalumba, Hellyers Road Distillery and more. Afterwards, dine at one of the fair’s Art + Dine partner restaurants – all within 10 minutes’ walk of Carriageworks.

For those looking to maximise their experience, a Premium+ pass is the way to go. It includes entry to all four days of the fair, including Art Night, Friday Night and the invitation-only Collector Preview on Wednesday September 4. Passholders also get access to the Sydney Contemporary Terrace Lounge, exclusive art events, studio visits and more.

Tickets are available now.

Broadsheet is a proud media partner of Sydney Contemporary.