12 December 2017

70 artists to present work at seven venues across Sydney over three months for the Biennale of Sydney’s 45th anniversary Sydney, Australia: the Biennale of Sydney today announced the 70 artists who will present work at seven venues across Sydney for the 45th anniversary of Australia’s most well-known contemporary art event, recognised for commissioning and showcasing innovative and thought-provoking Australian and international art. Participating artists in the 21st Biennale of Sydney hail from six continents including Africa, Asia, Australia, North and South America and Europe with a quarter of the exhibiting artists from Australia. The 21st Biennale of Sydney is a free exhibition spanning three months from 16 March until 11 June 2018.

Exploring the curatorial theme of SUPERPOSITION: Equilibrium & Engagement, the 21st Biennale of Sydney will be presented at seven of the city’s most respected museums, galleries and non-traditional exhibition spaces: Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW), Artspace, Carriageworks, Cockatoo Island, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA), Sydney Opera House and 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art.

Many of the artworks presented in the 21st Biennale are the result of direct engagement with communities around the globe and reflect the artists’ own migrations or personal histories. Artistic Director, Mami Kataoka commented: “The artists in the 21st Biennale of Sydney have been chosen to offer a panoramic view of how opposing interpretations can come together in a state of equilibrium. The history of the people of Sydney collectively reflects the history of the world in the 20th century, in particular the movements and migration of people and cultures away from conflict. My hope is that the artworks in this Biennale will serve as a catalyst for thought for all of us.”

Jo-Anne Birnie-Danzker, Director and CEO of the Biennale of Sydney, added: “In 2018, we celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Biennale of Sydney, one of the leading contemporary art events in the Asia Pacific region. Under the artistic leadership of Mami Kataoka the 21st Biennale of Sydney promises to be a compelling exploration of the most urgent issues of our day through the eyes of exceptional international and Australian artists.