Out & About…Sydney in January

Sydney in January…is a wonderful time to indulge yourself with local, national and international culture. The Art Gallery of New South Wales has recently opened Sydney Modern and one lengthy visit is not enough to take in all that this beautiful gallery offers. Designed by Sydney-based Japanese architect Asano Yagi (SANAA), it is a treasure trove of stunning works, relaxed eateries, and beautiful vistas of the harbour, the Finger Wharf and the domain. So good to see newly commissioned works (Narrbong-galang - many bags, 2022 from Lorraine Connelly-Northey and Guts, 2022 by Samara Golden), as well as old favourites from Emily Kame Kngwarreye.

Thrilled to experience some of Sydney Festival including, for the second time, Sun & Sea – the contemporary opera set on a beach, that won the Golden Lion at the 2019 Venice Biennale, by Lithuanian artists Rugilė Barzdžiukaitė, Vaiva Grainytė, and Lina Lapelytė at the Sydney Town Hall. Also experienced Antarctica, a new opera by Australian composer Mary Finsterer at Carriage Works. Beautiful productions, loved them both, and congratulations to the women who made them.

This time in the Harbour City has given us a lot to think about…

Martel Ollerenshaw, January 2023 (from the lands of the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands, and the Sydney Festival takes place).