Sydney Contemporary announces 2025 program featuring 114 exhibitors and more than 500 artists

Sydney Contemporary, in partnership with MA Financial Group, has announced the lineup for its curated programs, Installation, Performance, Kid Contemporary and Talks, alongside exhibitor presentation highlights. Presented from 11th – 14th September 2025 at Carriageworks, the ninth edition will be the largest to date, featuring 114 exhibitors, more than 500 artists, and the debut of new sector Photo Sydney.

Sydney Contemporary is supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Curated by Director of UNSW Galleries José da Silva, the 2025 program for Installation and Performance Contemporary showcases works that extend beyond the traditional booth presentation, providing an opportunity to experience innovative, site-specific, and interactive installations and live performance within the unique architecture and atmosphere of Carriageworks.

From the spectacular to the intimate, the program features a special performance by Dr Christian Thompson and nine showstopping installations by artists from Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand that expand the fields of painting and sculpture, activate sound, performance, and kinetic form, and respond to everyday materials and vernacular design.

A dynamic lineup of industry leaders will come together for the Talks program, exploring current trends and topics at the intersection of art, design and architecture. Highlights include a popular panel on How to Collect Art facilitated by art advisor and author of Collecting: Living with Art Kym Elphinstone featuring insights from three collectors at different stages of their collecting journey, and two intimate talks as part of a collaboration with Arts-Matter, presenting candid conversations between artist duos who feature in a new publication released in September Artist by Artist. To celebrate the launch of the new Photo Sydney sector, a dedicated talk with photographers including Lisa Sorgini, George Byrne, wani toaishara and Leila Jefferys, moderated by Amber Creswell Bell, will take place on Thursday 11 September.

Talks will also include two ‘ask us anything’ style panels, one focused on public art curated by internationally acclaimed UAP (Urban Art Projects), and a second with leading gallerists Tim Olsen and Andy Dinan to allow young artists to get expert advice about breaking into the art world.

There will also be a series of discussions curated by Micheal Do, Curator of Contemporary Art at the Sydney Opera House and Stephen Todd, Design Editor of Australian Financial Review.

Sydney Contemporary Fair Director Zoe Paulsen notes “This year’s Sydney Contemporary is bigger and bolder than ever. We’re welcoming more exhibitors, more artists, and launching exciting new initiatives like Photo Sydney. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just curious about contemporary art, there’s something here for everyone. It’s a chance to experience boundary-pushing installations, live performance, and thought-provoking conversations, all under one roof at Carriageworks at Australasia’s premier art fair. We can’t wait to share it with you.”

Access the full program of artists, exhibitions and talks 

Tickets to Sydney Contemporary are available to purchase here. 

Image. Gemma Smith, Triangulation 2025, Acrylic on canvas, 380 x 280 cm. Photograph: Philip Hyunh, Sullivan + Strumpf, Gadigal Country / Sydney; Glenn Barkley, timethattiresofeveryone open vessel, 2024, Sullivan + Strumpf; Lisa Reihana, GLISTEN, 2024. Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Commission, National Gallery Singapore, Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert, Gadigal Country / Sydney; Kalisolaite ‘Uhila, Kelekele Mo’ui (Living Soil) 2024, Live performance, Commissioned by Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga Hastings Art Gallery, Courtesy of the artist and Michael Lett, Photograph by Robert George, Micheal Lett, Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland; Jonny Niesche with Mark Pritchard, Fat Lava 2025, 1301 SW | STARKWHITE, Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland; Helen Calder, Red Stack 2025, Acrylic paint and steel frame, 122 x 33 x 33 cm, Two Rooms, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland