Sydney Contemporary returns to Carriageworks from 3–6 September for its 10th edition, bringing together more than 100 galleries from nine countries. To help navigate a fair of this scale, here’s est’s guide to the exhibitors, talks and events worth building into your visit.
Toronto-based abstract artist Celia Lees
SAINT CLOCHE, Booth E05
A contemporary gallery based in Paddington, Sydney, Saint Cloche presents Joshua Searle, Celia Lees and Sebastian Helling.
Dawning life (2026) by Kohl Tyler. Ceramic stoneware and dolomite glaze. Courtesy of the artist and MARS Gallery.
MARS Gallery, Booth D05
A Melbourne gallery based in Windsor, MARS presents Radical Joy, featuring The Huxleys, Kohl Tyler, Chun Yin Rainbow Chan and Kenny Pittock, with a stockroom presentation of Damien Shen, Scotty So, Telly Tuita and Miranda Hine. The booth also hosts a full program of artist talks and performances across the fair.
Out of Tune by Eko Bintang, acrylic on linen.
Sullivan + Strumpf, Booth C02
Founded in Sydney in 2005 by Ursula Sullivan and Joanna Strumpf, with a second space now in Singapore, Sullivan + Strumpf brings a stacked roster to this year’s fair: Alex Seton, Tony Albert, Yvette Coppersmith, Gregory Hodge, Julia Gutman and Lynda Draper, among many others across the gallery’s program.
Camie Lyons with To hold the air (2026) in bronze.
Australian Galleries, Booth B09
Founded in Melbourne in 1956, with galleries in Collingwood and Paddington, Sydney, Australian Galleries presents two solo shows, from Graham Fransella and Camie Lyons.
Photography courtesy of A Secondary Eye
A Secondary Eye, Booth D04
Founded in Brisbane in 2020 by Jesse-Jack De Deyne and now based in Sydney, A Secondary Eye brings a sculpture-focused booth to the fair under the joint presentation Far North: historical Aurukun sculpture from the 1990s and 2000s, shown alongside Ken Thaiday Snr’s kinetic works, which trace back to ceremonial dance objects from the Torres Strait.
Carnevale (2026) by André de Vanny. Oil, acrylic, wood putty, chalk pastel, charcoal, varnish, linseed oil on canvas.
Curatorial+Co, Booth E02
A Sydney gallery based in Woolloomooloo, founded by Sophie Vander, Curatorial+Co presents André de Vanny, Eugenie Kawabata, Lynn Savery and Dr Saffron Newey, with a full program of in-conversation artist talks at the booth across the fair.
Morticia’s Eggs (each bead a memory) by Angela Valamanesh.
GALLERY SALLY DAN-CUTHBERT, Booth B06
Founded in Rushcutters Bay in 2019 as the first Australian gallery to focus on the intersection of visual art and collectible design, Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert presents a group show featuring Yusuké Takemura, Rhoda Ting & Mikkel Bojesen, Jacky Redgate, Prue Venables, Donna Marcus, Angela Valamanesh, Marion Borgelt and Sally Smart, spanning painting, textile, photography, marble sculpture, glass and ceramics.
Zoo (2026) by Dane Lovett
Station, Booth B14
Established in Melbourne in 2011, with a second space in Sydney since 2019, Station presents new work from Dane Lovett and Laith McGregor.
Talks & Events
Art Café takeover, Mike Hewson
Installation | Mike Hewson
Presented by Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery. Hewson transforms the Sydney Contemporary Café into a shared sculptural setting, alongside a new recirculating fountain built from disused construction material.
The Material Turn
Host: Alison Kubler. Speakers: Sally Dan-Cuthbert, David Caon, Alex Seton, Grace Lillian Lee. This conversation looks at the swing back toward tactile, handmade practice, textiles, ceramics, weaving and locally sourced materials, after several years dominated by digital and AI-driven work, and asks why makers are returning to the physical and what that means for how art, craft and collectible design intersect.
Hawthorn House by Arent&Pyke
The (Contemporary) Art of Antiques
Host: Tanya Buchanan. Speakers: Jesse-Jack De Deyne, Madeleine McKenzie, Sarah-Jane Pyke. This conversation explores the growing appetite among young collectors for antiques, historical objects and vintage design, and how contemporary interiors are increasingly blending centuries of design and culture, layering antiques and vintage pieces alongside contemporary art.