I haven’t really missed a whole lot during Sydney’s COVID lockdown. Friends and family, of course, but shopping, dining out, and going on holidays? Not so much.
What I have missed though is the art. We are blessed in our city to have access to an amazing array of traditional and contemporary art for free – a fact which has always astounded overseas visitors. The Art Gallery of NSW, Museum of Contemporary Art and the privately owned White Rabbit Gallery all offer free public admission, although specific exhibitions at the AGNSW and MCA are often ticketed.
The COVID crisis has been brutal on our art establishments – the MCA wrote to members recently asking for donations as they were 40% down on income (largely due to the ongoing loss in revenue from venue hire), Carriageworks has gone into voluntary administration, and both the annual Vivid Light Show and Biennale of Sydney were cancelled.
Thankfully, the Biennale is reopening in June, and we’re very excited! All of their art spaces except one will open again to the public (there’s more information on their website).
Photo from Biennale website. Image: Lhola Amira, Philisa: Ditaola, 2018-20. Installation view for the 22nd Biennale of Sydney (2020), Cockatoo Island. Commissioned by the Biennale of Sydney with generous assistance from the Sherman Foundation, and assistance from NIRIN 500 patrons. Courtesy the artist and SMAC Gallery, Cape Town / Johannesburg / Stellenbosch. Photograph: Jessica Maurer
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The MCA will reopen on 16 June, with strict social distancing rules in place, and the White Rabbit will start up again on 6 June. If you’ve been reading along for a while, you’ll know that I adore the White Rabbit. During this time of isolation, they uploaded virtual tours of their present and past exhibitions here. It’s a fun way to while away a bit of time!
At the very end of last year, when Australia was in the midst of terrible bushfires and we were all feeling incredibly sad, Pete took me to the Cornelia Parker exhibition at the MCA. And I remember how happy I was to be there – a brief respite to fill my mind and heart with awe and wonder, and to escape temporarily from the worries of the day. Maybe that’s where the true gift of great art lies, in its capacity to transport us away from our everyday lives for just a little while.
As I was tidying up my phone, I found photos from that exhibition and thought I’d share them with you. I’ve included the information boards where I’ve had them.
Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View filled an entire room with suspended objects mid-explosion and the most glorious shadows…
Subconscious of a Monument was one of my favourites – as a collector of rocks and fossils, I loved that the artist took what would otherwise have been construction debris and gave it life of its own…
And finally, I adored Magna Carta (An Embroidery). This tiny photo doesn’t begin to do it justice, as the finished work was huge and the product of over 200 contributors.
Happily, I found the accompanying video that was shown at the exhibition on YouTube. It’s definitely worth grabbing a cuppa and spending ten minutes enjoying it! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
WOW, blown up is right :) You are lucky to have the MCA. The embroidery piece was stunning. thank you for including that.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I loved it!
The Magna Carta embroidery is incredible! I loved the ethos of it and reading the list of contributors in the credits. Thank you for sharing, Celia.
I could mot agree more about the galleries, the theatre, the concerts in Sydney-town. Have SO appreciated the virtual\’ tours and Sydney Opera House offerings . . . and wandered around the world enjoyingt he same ! When you get back to the White Rabbit – please post as some of us may not be so fortunate early in the piece . . .
How lucky you are! I’m happy for you. Enjoy your beautiful museum and remember our meeting!. Here lockdown is still on.
Just a few minutes ago I finished my kneading of bread. And I was thinking that thanks to you I started my sourdough adventure. Thanks for your generosity!!
Here It’s 6 am and I couldn’t sleep so…baking .
I’ve done a few virtual tours of museums we would have been to on our trip. Thank heavens we have technology to enable all these wonderful experiences. Will grab a drink and enjoy the video! Always remember to stay behind the lines at the gallery! 😉
Thank you so much for this Celia! What an amazing artist, and the video about the Magna Carta artwork was just fascinating – sadly the discussion of how people’s rights under the British (and largely Australian) systems are not expressed through a bill of rights and how they must be protected, are more timely than ever!