Something strange is happening at Sydney Contemporary. It’s thriving – and at a time you might not expect it to.
In 2025, life is becoming increasingly uncertain for many. There are international conflicts, climate anxiety, the cost-of-living crisis and the unsettlingly rapid growth of AI. But if the public is feeling wobbly about the state of the world, it’s not being reflected in the strength of art fairs.
“In times of uncertainty, people turn to art – for connection, for meaning, for joy, for beauty. Art reflects and interprets the world we live in; people want to invest in something lasting and meaningful,” fair director Zoe Paulsen tells Broadsheet.
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“You just have to look at what happened during Covid to know that people will always turn to creativity and culture. It’s the emotional and cultural value that sustains art and it’s so much more than just a financial purchase; it’s a way people continue to feel connected and inspired.”
The ninth iteration of Sydney Contemporary begins this week. The program is its most ambitious to date. A total of 116 exhibitors from around Australia, New Zealand, London, Los Angeles and Hong Kong have hired space.
The festival is predicted to attract at least 25,000 visitors over five days, many of whom will buy art. Last year the fair reported more than $17.5 million in sales. A major drawcard of art fairs like Sydney Contemporary is the range of price points and works on offer.
“An art fair is a fantastic way to see so much art under one roof,” says Paulsen. “We have the ability to bring in an audience whether it’s first-timer buyers or the art-buying public. Your seasoned collectors know they’ll be seeing museum-quality works, right through to works that are priced in the hundreds of dollars.”
This year, those seasoned collectors could add a major painting by Emily Kam Kngwarreye, a previously unseen Brett Whiteley or a John Olsen to their collection. Newcomers might start out with something more affordable from Caesar Florence-Howard or Shanti Shea An.
The fair’s collection of works on paper has expanded this year, following its most successful year yet in 2024 for this medium. These works are appropriate for buyers looking for a less intimidating entry point into the art market. “People are drawn to works on paper, it’s a great way to start out but it’s also an opportunity for collectors to add diversity to their collection, so many artists’ ideas start with a drawing,” Paulsen says.
A new addition to the festival is Photo Sydney, run by photographer and former Stills Gallery director Sandy Edwards. “[It’s] the most significant addition to the fair since launching. It offers a new context for collectors to engage with photography and [it’s] really accessible,” says Paulsen.
The organisers of Sydney Contemporary added Photo Sydney to the line-up in response to popular demand. When the art-buying audience speaks, Sydney Contemporary listens.
Sydney Contemporary runs September 11 to September 14 at Carriageworks. Tickets are available online.