Diverse and Inclusive Artistic Tension and Influence

From September 5 to 8, 2024, the largest art event in Australia, and indeed the Southern Hemisphere, Sydney Contemporary was held at the Carriageworks art space in Sydney. The Sydney Contemporary Art Fair is the most concentrated week for art sales in Australia. In 2023, the fair attracted 25,000 visitors and generated $21 million in sales. This year, 86 galleries showcased works by more than 400 global artists during the exhibition period. A special section for paper-based art was introduced this year, providing a broader platform for Chinese contemporary paper-based works with Eastern elements to be showcased and traded.

Top Left: Vermilion Art’s Dr. Yeqin Zuo (left) with MONA Museum Founder David Dominic Walsh (right)

Paper-Based Art: Focusing on Exploration

Papermaking originated in China, passed through the Middle East, and arrived in Europe in the 13th century. Chinese artists have a natural attachment to paper, making it an important medium for contemporary art creation. Vermilion Art, known for representing Chinese contemporary art, brought eight artists to the fair, including A Xin, Chen Wenling, Fang Lijun, Li Jin, Peng Yong, Tao Aimin, Wang Yunyun, and Yang Xifa, who collectively made a strong presence in the leading exhibition space for paper-based art, becoming a key window for Chinese artists to showcase their works and engage in dialogue through the Sydney Contemporary Art Fair.

Rising Trend of Indigenous Art

This year’s Sydney Contemporary Art Fair highlighted a strong focus on Indigenous artworks. Galleries such as Utopia Art Sydney, Art Leven, and Olsen Gallery presented solo and group exhibitions that showcased the reflections on Indigenous art through unique curatorial styles, engaging both the public and collectors alike.

Speaker: Christopher Hodges, Founder of Utopia Art Sydney

Of particular note is a work by the late Indigenous artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye, priced at AUD 3.35 million, which was a star highlight of the fair and sold by Utopia Art Sydney on the opening day. Emily’s unique depiction of the Australian desert has made her a world-class art icon. In an interview, Christopher Hodges, head of Utopia Art Sydney, said, "Emily's works will be exhibited at Tate Museum in the UK next year, which will further promote the recognition of Indigenous art globally and increase its focus in the contemporary art market."

Diversity and Inclusion

This year's Contemporary Art Fair not only attracted numerous renowned Australian galleries but also engaged art dealers and institutions from across the Asia-Pacific region and the world. The art forms on display included painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and digital art, and the lineup of artists was notable, ranging from established figures to pioneering young artists.

Chinese-Australian second-generation young artist Jason Phu, well-loved by Australian collectors, explored and challenged this era with his playful brushstrokes that hover between humor and depth. Represented by Chalk Horse, Jason’s work attracted significant attention, with his initial pieces being replaced on the third day of the fair due to pre-sales, reflecting the Australian market's diverse and inclusive feedback.

International Development: Giving Back to the Market

At the fair, Rob Russell, head of PIERMARQ Gallery, discussed international art expansion and the feedback to the domestic market in an art dialogue with Chinese-Australian art writer and critic Aileen Moka. He mentioned a particularly significant artist, Jordy Kerwick, an Australian artist who lives in France and has been well-received by collectors worldwide. This year, his solo exhibition was a hit, with his largest work being purchased by a European collector.

The discussion on the international movement of artists and the attraction of overseas buyers became one of the key topics of this year's fair. The active participation of Chinese contemporary art collectors and local Chinese-Australian collectors is also on the rise as contemporary art becomes more recognized, forming an impressive cultural landscape. Aileen Moka noted that as more mid-to-young collectors join the scene, Chinese collectors' preferences have visibly shifted from traditional to contemporary art, with a growing interest in installations, sculptures, and digital art, all underpinned by a more global perspective.

A successful contemporary art fair and a healthy art ecosystem are co-created by the fair organizers, art dealers, gallery owners, artists, collectors, art media, and the public. As artist Lisa Roet’s 20-meter-tall sculpture "Skywalker Gibbon" made its debut, accompanied by the call of a male gibbon, the artwork graced Sydney’s skyline, searching for love. May the world hear the call of Sydney Contemporary, and may more Chinese artists shine brightly at the fair.

Excerpts from On-Site Art Interviews:

“Every art exhibition and every collected work makes me feel refreshed…” —Chinese Collector Ping

“I’m just a simple art lover, enjoying wandering in the art world by myself, while also looking forward to professional guidance.” —Art Enthusiast Corrine

“I still vividly remember the thrill of collecting Mr. A Xin’s sculpture.” —David Dominic Walsh, Founder of MONA Museum

“Today is my first visit to this year’s fair. I’ll bring more art lovers over the weekend. Our art community has over a hundred members, all dedicated art followers.” —Adrian Ward, Curator of AAA Art