With an instinct for unexpected pairings and a deep appreciation for art, objects and craftsmanship, Sarah-Jane Pyke brings a designer’s eye to Sydney Contemporary. As Co-Founder and Creative Director of Arent&Pyke, she has spent almost two decades curating interiors where art and design are in constant conversation. Here, she shares the works and artists she’ll be seeking out at the Fair’s 10th edition.
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Harriet Goodall
Textiles in all their forms have always fascinated me, and the fluidity of this work immediately caught my attention. There’s something really compelling about the way the material seems to move and take on a life of its own. I love seeing familiar materials pushed into unexpected territory.
Learn more about this conversation here.
Harriet Goodall, Prime Mover, 2025, Courtesy of the artist and Jennings Kerr.
Talk: The Material Turn
The way artists experiment with materials and explore new possibilities beyond their traditional use is always exciting. There’s so much interesting work happening at the intersection of art, craft and sculpture, and I’m looking forward to hearing more about the thinking and experimentation behind it. It should be a really engaging conversation.
Saturday, September 5 2026
12:00PM – 1:00PM
Learn more about this conversation here.
Artist Talk: Fowlers Gap Artist residency
Any opportunity to hear directly from artists about their practice is always a highlight, and I’ll be trying to catch as many of these conversations as I can throughout the fair. The Fowlers Gap Artist Residency has produced some incredible work over the years, and it’s fascinating to see how the landscape and experience of being there filters into each artist’s practice. This is one I’m particularly looking forward to.
Learn more about this conversation here.
Nicole Kelly, Fowlers Gap, Photo Will Mansfield, Courtesy of Arthouse Gallery.
Nicole Kelly, Fowlers Gap, Photo Will Mansfield, Courtesy of Arthouse Gallery.Abdul Abdullah
Having first discovered Abdul Abdullah’s work at the fair many years ago, it has been wonderful to follow the evolution of his practice ever since. Collecting one of his works myself two years ago made that connection even more personal, so I’m particularly excited to see this newest incarnation of his work. His ability to continually evolve while retaining such a distinctive visual voice is something I’ve always found compelling.
Learn more about the gallery here.
Abdul Abdulla, virgin and child, 2026, Courtesy of Ames Yavuz.
Abdul Abdulla, virgin and child, 2026, Courtesy of Ames Yavuz.R-McBurnie
The Works on Paper section is one I never miss — it’s often where I discover some real gems. The variety of scale and approach is always exciting, and there’s often a more intimate quality to these works that encourages you to slow down and spend a little more time with them. It’s consistently one of my favourite sections to explore.
Learn more about the gallery here.
R-McBurnie, First light, 2026, Courtesy of Umbrella Studio.
R-McBurnie, First light, 2026, Courtesy of Umbrella Studio.Sydney Contemporary returns to Carriageworks from 3 – 6 September. Tickets are on sale now.
