Future of the Sydney Biennale is looking bright

To be presented over a variety of locations in Sydney, the 24^th edition of the Sydney Biennale is already shaping up to be one of the most impressive yet. Titled Ten Thousand Suns, the event will focus on the theme of celebration, utilising art to seek to celebrate joy, queer resistance, and happiness in the face of prejudice and injustice. This will mark the biennale’s 50^th year.

The biennale will be led by artistic directors Cosmin Costinaș and Inti Guerrero, and will include an exhibition alongside a program of contemporary music, presented across a wide rage of venues including Phoenix Central Park in Chippendale. Costinas and Guerrero have said that “next year’s Biennale works across time periods, beyond the borders separating cultural practices rooted in different genealogies, and from all continents. The exhibition owes a profound debt to the rich heritage of what is known today as Australia, especially to the struggles and practices in which First Nations communities and migrants have faced and played key roles”.

This is to be a biennale for all, with Barbara Moore, Chief Executive Officer of the Biennale of Sydney stating that “the Biennale of Sydney is one of the top biennials in the world – a leader in this global art movement – presenting the most innovative contemporary art and ideas from around the world. And admission is free for everyone. So come and experience it, sharing the joys and challenges of our time as a communal participatory experience, inspired by incredible art and artists”.

39 artists have already been selected to exhibit at next year’s biennale, selected to embody the vast range and depth of artistic practice across Australia and the world. Exhibited artists will include Bonita Ely, Darrell Sibosado, Doreen Chapman, Elyas Alavi, Kaylene Whiskey, Kirtika Kain, Pauletta Kerinauia, Serwah Attafuah, Tracey Moffatt, VNS Matrix, William Yang, and Yangamini from Australia, John Pule, Nikau Hindin, Ebonie Fifita-Laufilitoga-Maka, Hina Puamohala Kneubuhl, Hinatea Colombani, Kesaia Biuvanua, Pacific Sisters, Segar Passi, and Udeido Collective from New Zealand and Oceania, and Adebunmi Gbadebo, Andrew Thomas Huang, Christopher Myers, Alberto Pitta, Anne Samat, Citra Sasmita, Eisa Jocson, Francisco Toledo, Freddy Mamani, Hayv Kahraman, Idas Losin, I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih, Li Jiun-Yang, Marie-Claire Messouma Manlanbien, Ming Wong, Nádia Taquary, Orquideas Barrileteras, Özgür Kar, Sachiko Kazama, Satch Hoyt, Trevor Yeung and William Strutt from farther afield.

Further contributors and events will be announced for the Sydney Biennale later this year, with the event set for 9 March to 10 June 2024.