Head to the opening night of Australasia’s best contemporary art fair, where you’ll get a private tour and special insights from the artists.

 

Sydney Contemporary returns to Carriageworks from September 8–11, with the country's largest and most diverse gathering of local and international galleries. The ambitious program also includes installations, performances, panel discussions, workshops and plenty of good eating and drinking.

On opening night, an exclusive Access event will give just 15 members (and a friend) an expert insight into the fair – and help them discover the next big thing(s). The evening begins at the Four Pillars Bar at 6pm, where members will enjoy a gin cocktail before touring the fair’s Future sector with Archibald Prize finalist Oliver Watts, the senior curator of Artbank.

 

Future houses young galleries that each present a curated exhibition of new work from one or two emerging artists. As Access members tour Future, gallerists or artists will share a few words about their presentations.

 

After the tour, members are free to explore the fair at their own pace. See contemporary artist Justene Williams’s performative sculptures, She Predicted the Weather, WeiZen Ho’s inspiring performance work The Stories From the Body #1, and Rakini Devi’s installation Reliquary Body. Visual artist Michaela Gleave is also presenting Cosmic Time, taking guests on a guided journey into the depths of existence while they sample a complimentary dram of Glenfiddich – the night’s sponsor. The award-winning distillery will also release a rare new whisky at the fair. Plus, explore bars from Campari, Yalumba, Champagne Duperrey and the aforementioned Four Pillars, plus Australian fare and Italian charcuterie platters.

 

Tickets ($70) are limited to three per Access member.