Visionary Partner
Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain
The Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain and Biennale of Sydney join forces to commission 14 First Nations artists, whose artworks are presented as part of the 24th Biennale, Ten Thousand Suns, throughout all venues and the Sydney Opera House. Working closely with the inaugural Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain First Nations Curatorial Fellow Tony Albert to bring their creative visions to life, these artists include Mangala Bai Maravi, Doreen Chapman, Megan Cope, Cristina Flores Pescorán, Gail Mabo, Freddy Mamani, Dylan Mooney, Orquídeas Barrileteras, John Pule, Eric-Paul Riege, Darrell Sibosado, Kaylene Whiskey, Yangamini, and Nikau Hindin in collaboration with Ebonie Fifita- Laufilitoga-Maka, Hina Puamohala Kneubuhl, Hinatea Colombani, Kesaia Biuvanua and Rongomai Grbic-Hoskins.
“For more than twenty years, the Fondation Cartier has been building a long relationship with contemporary artists from Indigenous communities throughout South America. Today, it is our great pleasure to join forces with the Biennale of Sydney, our Australian partners, artists and curators to further foster dialogue between different cultures and promote public awareness of contemporary art from all over the world. This partnership reflects our commitment to First Nations communities and underscores the crucial role of listening to their voices as we navigate the challenges of our planet. First Nations artists bring their rich cultural heritage and unique artistic creativity to the contemporary art scene challenging conventional norms in the art world.”
Hervé Chandès, International Director
Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain
Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain First Nations Curatorial Fellow
Tony Albert
“I am so grateful and excited to look at the year ahead as the inaugural recipient of Biennale of Sydney and the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain First Nations Curatorial Fellowship. Both of these organisations are visionary pioneers in showcasing and promoting incredible works of art. Indigenous Australian art has a unique identity and position within the contemporary art world. This unique and timely partnership represents a platform to expand the development of strong curatorial perimeters with First Nations peoples. In my hopes and dreams I believe that this partnership will bring outstanding commissions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and curatorial excellence to the rest of the world.”
24th Biennale of Sydney artists supported by the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain
Badu Gili: Celestial (2024)
This vibrant new projection of powerful First Nations storytelling has been created by the Opera House, in partnership with Biennale of Sydney and the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, with animation by Yarnology and soundscape by Nigel Westlake, Te Kahreremoa Taumata and Te Kuru te Marama Dewes. The new six-minute projection will feature the work of Meriam artist, Gail Mabo from Mer Island in the Torres Strait, and international First Nations artist Nikau Hindin, a Te Rarawa and Ngāpuhi woman from Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Using Mabo’s star maps constructed out of bamboo and cotton, and Hindin’s Māori aute (bark cloth), the digital animation explores the ancient practices of celestial navigation across two cultures, with vibrant symbols and sounds bringing to life the stories of our skies and waterways.
Previous collaborations
The Great Animal Orchestra (2022)
The Biennale of Sydney and the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain presented the Australian Premiere of The Great Animal Orchestra, a singlular and memorable encounter with our living planet.
The environment focused work by American pioneer soundscape ecologist Bernie Krause and London-based collective United Visual Artists was presented at the Stargazer Lawn, Barangaroo for the duration of the 23rd Biennale of Sydney, titled rivus, from 12 March to 13 June 2022.
Image: Installation view of The Great Animal Orchestra at Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris, 2016. © Bernie Krause / © UVA. Photograph: Mark Pokorny.
About the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain
The Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain is a private cultural institution whose mission is to promote all fields of contemporary artistic creation to the international public through a program of temporary exhibitions, live performances, and conversations. Created in 1984 by the Maison Cartier, the institution is exhibiting in Paris in a building designed by the architect Jean Nouvel.
The Fondation Cartier’s singular artistic program explores a wide array of creative fields from visual and performing arts to architecture, design, fashion, philosophy, and the sciences. For nearly four decades, the Fondation Cartier has been instrumental in revealing the talent of some of the greatest contemporary artists and has established its museum spaces as a platform where artists and scientists can meet and create projects to address major issues of today’s world. Its collection consists of nearly 4,000 works from a rich and multidisciplinary program. It is a testament to the relationships forged with more than 500 artists originating from all over the globe.
Image : © Luc Boegly