It’s been a big week for the arts in Sydney with the 24th Biennale of Sydney, titled Ten Thousand Suns, opening at various venues across the city.
Until the 10 June art from around the world will make its home across 6 iconic venues; the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Artspace, Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney Opera House, UNSW Galleries and perhaps most interestingly at the recently restored White Bay Power Station in Rozelle. This is the first time in over 100 years that the former power station’s doors have been open to the public.
With artistic direction led by Cosmin Costinaș and Inti Guerrero, the incredible program includes artist talks, live music, panels, performances, and workshops, as well as Art After Dark at White Bay Power Station every Wednesday.
With over 400 artworks by 96 artists and collectives, choosing what to see can be an overwhelming experience.
Here are my top 3 picks:
Citra Sasmita, Timur Merah Project, Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney
With a practice that centres on unravelling misconceptions of Balinese art and culture, Citra Sasmita’s work, Timur Merah Project, explores previous depictions of Indonesia which are deeply entrenched in colonisation. Pushing back against this depiction of men as heroes and women as decorative, the artist creates a counter-narrative in an attempt to reclaim and de-colonise the female form.
Kaylene Whiskey, Kaylene TV, White Bay Power Station
Known for her uniquely playful artistic practice, this major new commission by Yankunytjatjara artist Kaylene Whiskey incorporates the ‘dot’ iconography of the Central Desert with pop culture references. The large installation, Kaylene TV, invites the audience into a giant television to interact with life-size cut-outs of pop icons such as Cher and Dolly Parton, as well as the artists own hybrid Black superheroes. At a time when war and destruction seem to dominate our news feeds, Kaylene TV might just be the sparkle and joy we all need right now.
Sana Shahmuradova Tanska, Artspace
This series of paintings and graphics by Ukrainian artist Sana Shahmuradova Tanska was created in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. During this time the artist found herself in Cold War shelters that were still covered with old atomic war posters. Using oil paints and watercolours, Shahmuradova Tanska creates soft figures that explore concepts of grief and violence, and how the distance between past traumatic events and the present no longer exists.
The 24th Biennale of Sydney runs until 10 June 2024.
For more information head to the 24th Biennale of Sydney website. Images provided by the festival.
