Art fair ‘a well-oiled machine’ despite fewer sales

Photography by Rex Siu.

Sydney Contemporary is now a “well-oiled machine” the art fair’s director insists, despite taking in $3.5 million less than last year’s event.

Over 25,000 art lovers and collectors attended the recent exhibit at Carriageworks in Eveleigh, snapping up artworks which ranged from just over $100 to $3.35 million.

“It is such a wonderful event that brings everybody together at a particular time of year and really that can’t be replicated,” said Zoe Paulsen, fair director for Sydney Contemporary, who described the operation of its maze of galleries, artworks and group tours as a “well-oiled machine” .

“People, galleries, especially artists, were looking for an opportunity to all come together,” she added. “I think that’s what the fair does so well.”

While attendance was stable, cost of living pressures may have had an impact on this year’s show, with its $17.5 million in sales a significant decline from last year’s $21 million takings.

Paulsen said this was not the only measure of success, however, and that more artists had attending than ever before. 

 

The four-day-only event has become a national hub for galleries to showcase established and upcoming artists, since launching in 2013. This year alone featured 87 galleries from Australia, New Zealand, and Asia and over 400 artists were exhibited.

Beyond the galleries in the main halls, Sydney Contemporary incorporated live events and talk sessions, promoting the celebration of different artists and their voices.

More than an art fair, Sydney Contemporary hosts invite-only showings, performances and ‘Kid Contemporary’, enabling a broader audience of art lovers, collectors and their families. 

“They are a wonderful way of engaging a broader audience, varied audience, and really deep diving into certain topics,” said Paulsen. 

 

Some galleries featured in the ‘Future’ sector of Sydney Contemporary, which focused on upcoming galleries that had been operating for five years or less. 

 

Paulsen said including the different sectors and events was necessary for supporting diverse mediums and expanding their audiences, including ‘Works on Paper’ and the return of ‘Kids Contemporary’, a kids-based interactive program for developing their own art prints.

“I think the program on the whole this year was incredibly well received,” said Paulsen. 

“That immersive kind of space for kids’ contemporary is just amazing because I think it’s so important to be inspiring that younger generation.”

 

“Artists attending can show solidarity, it’s so nice as they come out in force and celebrate,” Paulsen added.

Tim Etchells, founder and co-owner of Sydney Contemporary, said: “There was a tremendous air of optimism as gallerists, artists and collectors all came together in a celebration of contemporary art.”