Join renowned naturalist and artist Roger Swainston for a conversation about his unique approach to underwater drawing and the intersection of art and science. Swainston’s practice is grounded in direct observation—often drawn while submerged—and reveals the intricate ecologies of marine life with both anatomical precision and poetic depth. This intimate talk explores his lifelong engagement with the ocean, his process of fieldwork, and the role of art in environmental awareness.
Hosted by Nanda\Hobbs.
Location: Booth E02 – Nanda\Hobbs, Carriageworks.
DJ Set by Carla Uriarte of Bar Freda’s
Carla Uriarte will present a curated DJ set at Sydney Contemporary 2025. Carla has an undisputed talent in transferring sonic vibrations to the body mind and soul. Beginning her DJ career in 2010 playing small bars in Madrid Spain, she has carried her diverse range of freaky dance electronica, synth & soul all the way to Sydney’s seas. In addition to Disc Jockeying Carla is a multi disciplinary artist whose practice has a focus on painting, poetry and video.
Location: Carriageworks
Painter Peter Gardiner joins us for a discussion about his hauntingly beautiful visions of landscape, where natural beauty collides with ruin and human impact. Gardiner’s layered, often fragmented compositions consider the environment not as pristine wilderness but as a historical and psychological site—marked by time, conflict, and transformation. This talk will delve into the philosophical underpinnings of his work and the tension between memory, ecology and decay.
Hosted by Nanda\Hobbs.
Location: Booth E02 – Nanda\Hobbs, Carriageworks.
“Renowned artist Caroline Zilinsky joins writer and curator Ariela Bard to explore the role of the self-portrait in contemporary art—not as mere likeness, but as mythic, psychological terrain. Renowned for her symbol-laden, emotionally charged figurative work, Zilinsky dissects the human condition with both intimacy and unflinching precision. Her paintings confront selfhood, alienation, and identity in an age defined by hyper-visibility and instability, where the body becomes both vessel and battleground.
This talk delves into her fearless approach to image-making drawing from history, mythology, and lived experience—and asks how distortion, exaggeration, and abstraction can lead us closer to truth.”
Hosted by Nanda\Hobbs.
Location: Booth E02 – Nanda\Hobbs, Carriageworks.
Artist Loribelle Spirovski invites you into her richly textured world of psychological portraiture and imagined space. Her paintings blend realism and surrealism, drawing from art history, philosophy and personal experience to explore questions of selfhood, cultural identity, and the inner life. Often working directly with her fingers rather than brushes, Spirovski’s tactile process adds a visceral, intuitive layer to her images—allowing emotion and instinct to guide each mark. In this in-booth talk, she reflects on her symbolic vocabulary, her process, and how the body itself becomes an instrument in rendering the complexities of the self.
Hosted by Nanda\Hobbs.
Location: Booth E02 – Nanda\Hobbs, Carriageworks.
“Painter, maker, father, and collector of moments, James Drinkwater brings to the canvas the textured residue of a life deeply lived. In this intimate VIP talk and Q&A, Drinkwater will explore his artistic philosophy—how food, family, objects, and rituals shape his multidisciplinary practice. From his residencies abroad to everyday exchanges in the kitchen, he translates memory and ritual into lyrical abstractions.
Gain insight into his use of materials, the crossover between painting and sculpture, and the emotional undercurrents of his work. More than a discussion on technique, this is a reflection on the sacredness of the ordinary in art.”
Hosted by Nanda\Hobbs.
Location: Booth E02 – Nanda\Hobbs, Carriageworks.
Studio A teams up with Sydney Contemporary for an Artist Sausage Sizzle. Serving LP’s Quality Meats delicious sausages on Sunday 14 September, 10.30am–12pm, grab a sausage and support inclusive contemporary art. Artwork featured by Daniel Kim.
Grab an illy Coffee for $2, for the first hour of the Fair on Saturday 13 Sept and Sunday 14 Sept.
Grab an illy Coffee for $2, for the first hour of the Fair on Saturday 13 Sept and Sunday 14 Sept.
From 5pm – 6pm on Friday 12 Sept, Sydney Contemporary will offer a glass of Yalumba Samuel’s Collection for $8 per glass.
Friday Night at Sydney Contemporary includes a live DJ set, delicious food and drink pop-ups, and the chance to browse and buy new artworks from 100+ galleries. Top off your evening by dining at one of our partner Art + Dine restaurants. It’s the perfect blend of culture, music and cuisine!
A valid Friday Night ticket is required for entry to Sydney Contemporary.
