“The Biennale of Sydney plays an indispensable role in Australia’s engagement with the world and a meaningful role in the life of the nation. In 2018, it attracted visitation of more than 850,000, the highest level since its inception in 1973.”
Barbara Moore, CEO
Biennale Sydney
The Biennale provides a platform for art and ideas and is recognised for commissioning and presenting innovative, thought-provoking art from Australia and around the globe.
about us
The Biennale of Sydney acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country, in particular the Gadigal people on whose land the Biennale of Sydney is located. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture and pay our respect to Elders, past and present.
The Biennale of Sydney is one of the leading international contemporary art events. It plays an indispensable role in Australia’s engagement with the world, and a meaningful role in the life of the nation. The Biennale presents the most dynamic contemporary art from around the globe in venues across Sydney with exhibitions that ignite and surprise people, sparking dialogue, cultivating connections and inspiring action through meaningful, shared arts experiences. The Biennale of Sydney amplifies the voices of artists and tell the stories of our global communities, as they drive momentum for lasting cultural change.
Established in 1973, it is the third oldest biennial in the world after Venice and São Paulo and the largest exhibition of its kind in Australia. The Biennale of Sydney has commissioned and presented exceptional works of art by more than 2,400 national and international artists from more than 130 countries.
Auslan Interpretation
Marjetica Potrč, The House of Agreement Between Humans and the Earth, 2022; The Time of Humans on the Soča River, 2021; The Time on the Lachlan River, 2022; The Rights of a River,2021; and The Life of the Lachlan River, 2022. Commissioned by the Biennale of Sydney with generous support from Goethe-Institut Australia and with assistance from Alenka Tindale.Courtesy the artist & Galerie Nordenhake, Berlin/Stockholm/Mexico City. Installation view, 23rd Biennale of Sydney, rīvus, 2022, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Photography: Document Photography.
Right to Left: Nicole Foreshew, YIRUNG BILA (SKY HEAVEN RIVER),2022. Courtesy the artist. Commissioned by the Biennale of Sydney with generous support from the Australia Council for the Arts;Paula de Solminihac, Fogcatcher, 2018-2021. Courtesy the artist.Commissioned by the Biennale of Sydney withgenerous assistancefrom Graeme and Mabie Briggs and assistancefrom the Catholic University of Chile and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Government of Chile; Cave Urban, Flow, 2022 (detail). Courtesy the artists. Commissioned by the Biennale of Sydney with generous support fromAndrew Cameron AO and Cathy Cameron;Mata Aho Collective, He Toka Tū Moana: She’s a Rock, 2022(detail). Courtesy the artists. Commissioned by the Biennale of Sydney with generous support from Creative New Zealand; and Gal Weinstein, Murray-Darling Basin,2022(detail). Courtesy the artist.Produced in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) at the University of New South Wales renowned for pioneering the transformation of waste for use as a new generation of ‘green’ materials and products.Commissioned by the Biennale of Sydney with assistance from Artis.Installation view, 23rd Biennale of Sydney, rīvus, 2022, The Cutaway at Barangaroo. Photography: Document Photography.
Citra Sasmita, Timur Merah Project X: Bedtime Story 2023. Commissioned by the Biennale of Sydney with generous support from the Australia-Indonesia Institute. Courtesy the artist and Yeo Workshop, Singapore. Citra Sasmita, Timur Merah Project IV: Tales of Nowhere, 2020. Commissioned by UOB for Children Art Space MACAN Museum Jakarta, Indonesia. Courtesy the artist and Yeo Workshop, Singapore © Citra Sasmita. Installation view, 24th Biennale of Sydney, Ten Thousand Suns, 2024, Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney. Photograph: David James.
Reports
24th Biennale of Sydney (2024) Report
Curated by Cosmin Costinaş and Inti Guerrero, the 24th Biennale of Sydney, held from 9 March to 10 June 2024, featured 402 artworks by 96 artists and collectives, attracting 777,386 visitors to seven exhibition locations.
23rd Biennale of Sydney (2022) Report
Curated by José Roca, the 22nd Biennale of Sydney, held from 12 March until 13 June 2022, featured 330 artworks by 89 participants.
22nd Biennale of Sydney (2020) Report
Under the artistic direction of acclaimed Indigenous Australian artist, Brook Andrew, the 22nd Biennale of Sydney, titled NIRIN, was an artist- and First Nations-led endeavour, presenting an expansive exhibition of contemporary art and events.
21st Biennale of Sydney (2018) Report
The 21st Biennale of Sydney: SUPERPOSITION: Equilibrium & Engagement exhibited works from 70 artists, attracting visitation of more than 850,000 at seven of Sydney’s museums, galleries and non-traditional exhibition spaces.