Sydney Contemporary announces talks program and curatorial partnerships

A work by Todd Robinson to be presented at Sydney Contemporary 2013

Sydney Contemporary has revealed a preview of its inaugural public program to be presented during the new international contemporary art fair being held at Redfern-based multi-disciplinary arts institution Carriageworks from 19 until 22 September 2013.  The inaugural event also announced an expanded exhibitor list, with over 80 galleries now confirmed to take part in the biennial Fair.

Talk topics range from the anti-aesthetic versus beauty in art; whether to collect from Australia or internationally; the crossover between art and fashion and how contemporary art inspires creative people across various disciplines, including food, architecture and graphic design.

Speakers include founder of Kaldor Public Art Projects John Kaldor AM, actor Rachel Griffiths, chef Kylie Kwong, architect Nick Tobias, Arts Journalist Andrew Frost, Art Fair Director Barry Keldoulis and artists including Del Kathryn Barton, Nell, and Island 6 from Hong Kong.  

Sydney Contemporary also announced curatorial partnerships with two of Sydney’s most innovative not-for-profit visual arts organisations: 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art and Artspace.  4A Director Aaron Seeto will curate the inaugural Installation Contemporary; an exhibition of large-scale sculpture and installations by cutting-edge contemporary artists. Mark Feary, Curator of Artspace, will curate Video Contemporary; a presentation of moving image artworks by Australian and international contemporary artists working at the very forefront of the medium.

Alexie Glass-Kantor curates international group exhibition for Anna Schwartz Gallery

Director of the Gertrude Contemporary Art Spaces Alexie Glass-Kantor has curated a group exhibition of work by contemporary Australian and international artists, entitled You promised me, and you said a lie to me, to be presented at Anna Schwartz Gallery at Carriageworks from 5 October until 2 November 2013.

Glass-Kantor has selected paintings, sculptures and video installations by contemporary artists from Australia and around the world, including: Heman Chong (Singapore); Susan Jacobs (Australia); Jesse Jones (Ireland); Laurent Grasso (France); Ming Wong (Berlin/Singapore); and Haegue Yang (South Korea). The title of the exhibition is taken from Donal Og, an 8th century Irish ballad translated by Lady Augusta Gregory (1852-1932), which draws out the startling language and un-resolvable nature of emotional confrontation.