Sydney Contemporary to be Largest Fair To Date

Sydney Contemporary 2025 will be the fair’s largest edition in its history, showcasing a diverse and ambitious program from September 11–14 at the multi-arts center Carriageworks. The ninth edition of the fair will feature a record-breaking lineup of 114 exhibitors and more than 500 participating artists from Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the US, and the UK.

Sydney Contemporary 2025 will be the fair’s largest edition in its history, running from September 11–14 at the multi-arts center Carriageworks with a lineup of 114 exhibitors and more than 500 participating artists.

Now in its ninth edition, the fair will debut a sector dedicated to contemporary photography, titled Photo Sydney, created in response to collector demand. Returning sectors include Galleries, featuring new projects by artists from leading international galleries; Future, which highlights young galleries or artist-run initiatives that have been operating for five years or less; and Works on Paper, showcasing watercolors, drawings, prints, and more by 30 exhibitors, the highest number for this sector to date. Alongside exhibitor booths, the event will host a range of curated programs such as Installation Contemporary and Performance Contemporary, curated by José da Silva. Highlights include two live performances by Bidjara/Chinese Australian artist Christian Thompson, vibrant installation works by Australian artist Jonny Niesche in collaboration with musician Mark Pritchard, and a new site-specific kinetic sculpture by Aotearoa New Zealand artist Lisa Reihana, among others.

A significant new addition to the fair is the debut of Photo Sydney, a sector dedicated to contemporary photography. This new “fair within a fair” was created in direct response to increasing collector demand for photographic works. It will feature a curated selection of artists from leading galleries, including Alexia Sinclair, Paul Blackmore, and William Yang, and will be a major highlight for visitors and collectors.

Returning sectors that have been expanded for this edition include:

• Galleries: The flagship sector featuring new projects and curated solo or group exhibitions by artists from leading international galleries. Notable presentations include Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery’s showcase of major Australian artists like Del Kathryn Barton and Bill Henson, as well as a selection of new and important works from returning galleries such as Sullivan+Strumpf, Fine Arts, Sydney, and COMA.
• Future: A dynamic platform dedicated to emerging talent, highlighting young galleries or artist-run initiatives that have been operating for five years or less. This sector provides a crucial launchpad for the next generation of contemporary artists.
• Works on Paper: Showcasing watercolors, drawings, prints, and more, this sector will feature a record 30 exhibitors, the highest number for this sector to date, with presentations from galleries like Nanda\Hobbs and Megalo Print Studio.

Beyond the exhibitor booths, the event will host a comprehensive program of curated initiatives designed to engage and immerse visitors. The Installation Contemporary and Performance Contemporary programs, both curated by José da Silva, Director of UNSW Galleries, will transform the Carriageworks space. Key highlights include:

• Dr Christian Thompson AO: The Bidjara/Chinese Australian artist will give two live performances of his work Recital, a powerful and immersive reclamation of his family’s endangered Bidjara language through vocalization.
• Jonny Niesche: In collaboration with musician Mark Pritchard, the Australian artist will present a vibrant installation work encompassing low-frequency sound and vibration to explore the spirituality of abstraction.
• Lisa Reihana CNZM: The award-winning Aotearoa New Zealand artist will unveil a new site-specific kinetic sculpture, GLISTEN, on the exterior of the Carriageworks building. Referencing a traditional Māori gateway, the work will feature thousands of shimmering discs that catch the wind and light.
• Zac Langdon-Pole: His installation Memory Garden (2024), presented by STATION, features five 1:1 marble replicas of iconic sculptures with their human figures removed.

The fair will also feature a robust Talks program curated by Michael Do and Stephen Todd, which will include discussions on topics ranging from the lives of artist couples to the challenges of belief and burnout in the art world.

Sydney Contemporary is the perfect place to explore the cutting-edge of contemporary art, connect with creativity, and find a piece to add to your collection, with hundreds of works available for purchase. The fair offers a range of ticket options, from multi-day and late-night passes to general admission, making it an accessible and unmissable cultural experience.