Art Month Sydney is throwing open the doors to the city’s hottest galleries and creative spaces in March, inviting anyone and everyone to engage with artists, exhibitions, studio visits, art parties, openings, walks, workshops and more throughout March.
Art Month Sydney is a not-for-profit event that promotes thoughtful discussion and self-directed exploration of art through a curated selection of events in private and public spaces, created in consultation with artists, philanthropists, collectors, gallerists and the wider creative community.
Directly benefiting artists through sales and exposure, Art Month Sydney plays an integral role in celebrating the extraordinary individuals and organisations that shape our city’s art ecosystem.
“Art Month Sydney comes at the perfect time to tempt Sydney-siders back into galleries, encouraging the wider community to reconnect with the city’s creative industries,” said Emma O’Neill, Art Month Sydney Festival Director.
“With a dynamic new group of artists and curators lending their expertise and more reasons than ever to support the arts, we are proud to be bringing the festival into the new decade and celebrating the city’s vibrant art scene at this pivotal moment.”
Jarrod Rawlins, Art Month Sydney Board Member and Senior Curator at Mona, Museum of Old and New Art, continues: “After a year at home, loving all things digital, it will be exciting to get back into the galleries,” he said.
“Each artist and organisation involved in the 2021 Art Month Sydney is working hard to create so many reasons to show up, spend up and offer their support.”
“The art market seems as optimistic and dynamic as any other time I’ve known, and I’m looking forward to getting out and exploring what Sydney has on offer. It’s been a while,” said Mr Rawlins.
Art Month Sydney program highlights include:
ART AT NIGHT:
Green Square Art at Night – Saturday 6 March: 3.00pm – 7.00pm
Tour the galleries of Green Square, one of Sydney’s emerging art precincts. Start off at Sullivan+Strumpf for a special performance by young artists currently training with Sydney Dance Company that responds to the gallery’s current Lindy Lee exhibition. Experience a dialogue of movement between artworks from 3.00pm – 4.00pm and then wander the galleries and finish up for beer and snacks by Atomic Beer Projects from 7.00pm.
After Dark at Hyde Park Barracks – Thursday 11 March: 5.00pm – 9.00pm
An evening of installations curated by Talia Smith and a music performance line-up by FBi Radio. Enjoy an atmospheric evening of light and sound including access to the immersive Hyde Park Barracks museum experience, plus gin and tonics and delicious food by OzHarvest.
East Sydney Art at Night – Saturday 13 March: 3.00pm – 9.00pm
Get out and explore the best galleries of Kings Cross and Woolloomooloo. The evening winds its way to Firstdraft, Australia’s longest-running artist-led organisation. Curators Anna May-Kirk, Nerida Ross and Sophie Penkethman-Young from ‘Collective: Frenzy’ are bursting into Firstdraft for a night of depravity and debauchery. Embracing the flip-the-table energy of the new year, be engulfed by loud, saucy and uninhibited artworks in a night of hedonism and surprise.
Chippendale and Redfern Art at Night – Saturday 20 March: 3.00pm – 9.00pm
Follow your own Art Month Sydney treasure map and explore the galleries of Chippendale and Redfern. Finish your journey with an evening curated by 107 Projects at Central Park, Broadway. Enjoy a night of large-scale immersive projections, food trucks, and festivities.
Paddington and Woollahra Art at Night – Saturday 27 March: 3.00pm – 9.00pm
Art Month Sydney will close with a bang curated by Sidney McMahon at Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery. Celebrate a final evening in Paddington’s renowned arts hub, with projections and pop-up bars. See the work of Claudia Nicholson and hear words by writer and artist Jackie De Lacy, as well other artists processing and practicing the conjuring of memories as a mode of self-preservation and self-futuring.
ART+COLLECTORS:
You Never Forget Your First – Collectors Space, Paddington: continues to 28 March
Art Month Sydney’s signature exhibition returns to unveil artworks from some of Sydney’s most exciting private collections. This year’s theme, You Never Forget Your First is curated by Gina Mobayed, Director of Goulburn Regional Gallery. It is a rare and personal journey through the private collections of practitioners, philanthropists and arts leaders across NSW. Collectors include Evan Hughes, Chris Kirby and Ray Monde, Megan Monte, Michelle Newton, Jasper Knight and Isabelle Toland.
The Collector’s Item, Parramatta Artist’s Studios (PAS): continues to 28 March – open by appointment
This exhibition invites you to consider the nature of collecting art. How do you value, collect, organise and care for items, from personal collections to cultural custodianship? PAS Artists Tully Arnot, Kalanjay Dhir, Amy Prcevich, Shan Turner-Carroll, Gillian Kayrooz and Justine Youssef share works reflecting on ‘collecting’.
Inside the Collectors’ Space, Paddington – Sunday 14 March (10.00am – 11.00am)
Join Curator Gina Mobayed, as she discusses art collecting with the dynamic creatives and art collectors behind this year’s ‘Collectors’ Space’. Hear the origins of their collections as well as stories and insights behind particular pieces. This is the perfect event for anyone looking to start or expand their own collection but in need of tips from the experts on their collecting journeys. Sip Veneziano Cold Brew and consider how you might start collecting art yourself.
Parramatta Artists’ Studios X Paramount House Hotel: continues to 28 March
The vibrancy of Western Sydney’s art scene comes to the city as Parramatta Artists’ Studio takes up residence in Paramount House Hotel, Surry Hills. The boutique hotel will showcase some of the city’s most compelling, unrepresented artists. All works displayed can be yours to take home.
ART+ FOOD:
Edible Adventure – Galerie pompom – Wednesday 24 March: 6.30pm. Cost: $150
Tantalise your tastebuds with a seasonal edible adventure hosted by Galerie pompom. Renowned forager and environmental artist, Diego Bonetto has collaborated with stylist, designer, foodie and weed-convert Marnee Fox for a night of delight for all the senses. Artist Genevieve Felix Reynolds will speak to her current exhibition as a seven-course vegetarian degustation menu (including drinks) is served.
Art Chats & Snacks Paramount House Hotel – Wednesday 17 March: 7.00pm – 8.30pm. Cost: $80
Hang back at Paramount Coffee Projects after-hours for a scintillating evening of conversation between artists and friends Lill Colgan and Sidney McMahon. Gain insight into their practices and enjoy delectable snacks and wine served up by Golden Age Cinema.
ART+ SUSTAINABILITY:
Gallery Warming: Artereal Gallery – Saturday 20 March: 10.00am – 12.00pm
A rich and diverse event to celebrate contemporary art at Artereal Gallery, Rozelle. View an installation by Patrizia Biondi and listen to poetry readings plus a panel discussion on the importance of ethical art collecting in a climate crisis led by writer Neha Kale. Explore the gallery rooms while taking in a stimulating and urgent dialogue.
MEET THE ARTISTS:
Artspace Studio Artist Walk-Through – Saturday 13 March: 2.00pm – 3.00pm
Meet three artists from Artspace whose work and style span a broad diversity of approaches. This event provides an insight into the ethos and practices of artists Rochelle Haley, Fiona Lowry and Rainbow Chan. The tour will include an introduction to current exhibition djillong dumularra, featuring works by Carol McGregor and Judy Watson, with Artspace Executive Director Alexie Glass-Kantor, before a behind-thescenes walkthrough of the Artspace studios.
Clay Date at Gallery Lane Cove – Sunday 14 March: 1.00pm – 4.30pm (two sessions). Cost: $30
Bring a date for this hands-on, collaborative clay creation. Join Ruth Ju-Shih Li in her meditative process and contribute to an ephemeral clay sculpture. Attendees are guided in basic clay-forming techniques and free to deviate and create their own unique organic forms. Coming together to produce one collaborative clay work, the sculpture is the combined work of all participants. No equipment or experience is required.
In the Darkroom, Sydney College of the Arts – Sunday 28 March: 1.00pm – 4.00pm. Cost: $50
Enjoy a hands-on photography workshop with acclaimed photographic artist Amanda Williams. Reclaiming the science and drama of photography in an age anaesthetised by smartphones, Amanda works within the constraints of silver gelatin photographic printing. Discover the materiality of photography and create something unique and memorable.
Art Month Sydney continues to 28 March 2021. For more information and full program, visit: www.artmonthsydney.com.au for details.
Image: Artbank – Art Month Sydney, 2020 – photo by Photography Document