The vibrant city is set to host the 24th edition of the Biennale of Sydney, aptly titled “Ten Thousand Suns,” from 9 March to 10 June 2024. As a free public event, it shines as a beacon of contemporary artistic expression and is the largest of its kind in Australia. Art enthusiasts will be drawn to venues like the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Artspace, the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, the Sydney Opera House, and the revitalized White Bay Power Station to experience this cultural phenomenon.
Led by artistic directors Cosmin Costina? and Inti Guerrero, “Ten Thousand Suns” invites celebration into its core, weaving joy with the threads of collective resistance and unity against historical injustices. Taking inspiration from First Nations technology, Queer resilience, and global carnival traditions, the festival delves into the current climate emergency while steadfastly rejecting a dystopian vision of the future.
This year, marking the Biennale’s 50th anniversary, the program challenges the western narrative of an apocalyptic end and chooses to embrace a future filled with collaborative joy and shared success. The festival will feature 96 artists and collectives hailing from over 50 countries, each bringing a personal touch rooted in diverse communities and artistic vernaculars.
Many of the artworks act as commentaries on global issues while honoring the power of personal and collective stories. One featured commission is Yankunytjatjara artist Kaylene Whiskey’s ‘Kaylene TV,’ a testament to her joyous and unique vision, displayed on a grand scale.
The Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain also joins as a Visionary Partner, commissioning 14 First Nations artists to craft new works for the edition. The art they create underscores the essential partnership between the foundation and the Biennale as they continue to foster creative expression and cultural reverence.
With the opening night set to light up the White Bay Power Station for the first time in over a century, the event signals the beginning of an art-filled journey for all attendees. The synergy of diverse paintings, installations, and projects converges to create a narrative celebrating cultural multiplicity, artistic resilience, and anticipation for a radiant future.
As the city gears up for this monumental event, audiences are invited to immerse themselves in the interplay of creativity that transcends boundaries. The Biennale of Sydney beckons as a playground for the senses and a bedrock for artistic discovery, reaffirming its stature as a vital hub in the international art scene.
For further information visit biennaleofsydney.art