Sydney Contemporary brings together more than 100 exhibitors from Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the UK, presenting work by more than 500 artists from 33 countries.
The 2026 edition is organised across four sectors: Galleries, Futures, Works on Paper and Photo Sydney, which returns for its second year. Participating galleries include long-term exhibitors such as Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, Sullivan+Strumpf, Utopia Art Sydney, MARS Gallery and Michael Reid Sydney + Berlin, alongside new and returning participants including China Heights, Messums London, LON Gallery and NO FANTASY.
The program extends beyond the gallery presentations with Installation and Performance, Talks, Kid Contemporary and a Collectors Lounge. Installation and Performance is the largest such program staged by the fair to date, with 17 projects curated by José Da Silva, Director of UNSW Galleries. The program spans performance, sculpture, textiles, painting, photography and kinetic works, exploring themes including place, memory, ecology and identity.
Works include a monumental billboard by Aotearoa New Zealand artist Billy Apple®, a sculptural environment by Mike Hewson and a suspended work by Kirtika Kain. A collaborative kinetic sculpture by Meriam Mer artist and fashion designer Grace Lillian Lee, Dr Ken Thaiday Snr and Allan George Lee is also presented.
Several projects extend beyond Carriageworks. Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennie’s installation ALWAYS (2026) wraps the main staircase of the Sydney Fish Market, while Joan Ross presents a large-scale video installation at the BESLEY & SPRESSER-designed Pier Pavilion, Barangaroo. Both are presented as part of the fair’s broader city program.
Related: Wrapping up Sydney Contemporary 2025
The Talks series, curated by Vivid Minds curator Mitchell Oakley Smith, brings together more than 30 artists, curators, collectors, designers and cultural leaders across four days. Discussions address topics including artificial intelligence, the resurgence of painting, collecting, sustainability, interiors and handmade materials. A dedicated session also reflects on Sydney Contemporary’s ten editions and changes across the Australian and international art world.
Other programming includes Kid Contemporary, an analogue filmmaking workshop for visitors of all ages, and Art + Dine, which extends the fair into Sydney’s bars and restaurants through art-inspired food and drink events.
Sydney Contemporary at Carriageworks from 3rd to 6th September 2026.
