If you are a fan of visual arts both here in Australia and overseas, then you have to get around The Biennale of Sydney.
Back for its 21st year, the Biennale is a pretty special time for the city. From smaller art installations, discussion panels and dedicated exhibitions across the city to the main event on Cockatoo Island, this is a highlight of the art community calendar.
The Biennale of Sydney is back for it’s 21st year. The theme for artists in 2018 is ‘Superposition: Equilibrium and Engagement’.
Running from the 14th of March until the 11th of June across the city of Sydney, this is an experience not to be missed. This year’s exhibits feature a huge number of artists from across Asia and really explore the political and cultural relevance their stories have with Australia.
Combined with a heap more international works and Australian artists, The 21st Biennale of Sydney is something we are incredibly excited for.
Ai Weiwei – Cockatoo Island
A big feature of the exhibition is the work of Ai Weiwei, an artist whose work is directly derivative of his experiences living in China, from a political and social standpoint.
His keynote discussion with the Biennale Artistic Director Mami Kataoka is definitely not to be missed. Weiwei has also released a film called Human Flow, which addresses the issue of mass displacement in China.
Book tickets via the website.
Chen Shaoxiong – Carriageworks
If Carriageworks is up your alley then head over to see works from Chen Shaoxiong. His work with ink, oil paint and photography tells the stories of rural China.
His pieces will stand alongside that of Aboriginal Australian artist George Tjungurrayi of Western Australia amongst many others.
Jacob Kirkegaard – Museum of Contemporary Art
The MCA has gone above and beyond for the Biennale this year and if sound design and sonic landscapes are your thing, then check out the installations from Jacob Kirkegaard.
Based in Berlin but originally from Denmark, Kirkegaard blends science, sound and visual arts to create these visual and spatial installations which will blow your mind.
Sa Sa Art Projects – Art Gallery of NSW
The NSW Art Gallery is a hallowed institution and this year they have pulled all the stops to put on an incredible experience for Biennale patrons. Bringing over Sa Sa Art Projects from Phnom Penh, this artist hub is a non-for-profit organisation started by Cambodian arts collective Stiev Selapak and is located in a historic creative complex known locally as the White Building.
The artists have contributed works that tell the stories of their experiences living through Cambodia’s difficult history and into a contemporary sphere. This is a must see for the Biennale if you are interested in South East Asian art and culture.
Akira Takayama and Jun Yang – 4A Centre
Akira Takayama and Jun Yang will be heading up the 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art. Focusing on connecting cultures from the Asian communities here in Australia and overseas and exploring their relevance in a contemporary context, this is one collective you have to have tabs on come March.
Grab all the details on Biennale.com
