The Biennale of Sydney is Australia’s largest and most exciting contemporary visual arts festival. The Art Gallery of NSW is proud to continue our long involvement with the festival, exhibiting a range of incredible artworks by some of the most outstanding national and international artists working today.

To celebrate the ideas, art and people of the 19th Biennale of Sydney: You Imagine What You Desire, the Gallery is bringing you all the festival’s spirit and splendour after hours.

Join us on Wednesday evenings throughout May for a very contemporary Art After Hours. Each evening will give you the chance to delve deeper into the Biennale artworks and the minds of their creators.

For Art After Hours, the entire Gallery will be open until 10pm with a wide array of entertainment, food and drinks on offer. Don’t forget there is a courtesy bus running every 15 minutes throughout the evening, dropping at various city transport hubs.

Program highlights

Each Wednesday, 5.30pm: Hear local tertiary students discuss their favourite artwork as a part of our emerging youth program Sydney Students Speak.

Each Wednesday, 7.15pm: Singer, guitarist and composer Matt Tonks is our resident musician for the month. Mesmerising and spontaneous, Matt’s live music will provide the perfect soundtrack to all the Biennale fun.

7 May, 6.30pm: Indigenous artist Bindi Cole talks to writer, presenter and producer Nell Schofield about her moving video installation We All Need Forgiveness (2014), on display in the Gallery as part of this year’s Biennale.

14 May, 6.30pm: In response to Meriç Algün Ringborg’s Biennale work The Library of Unborrowed Books (2014), city historian Dr Lisa Murray joins us to reflect on the role of the library in our digital age.

21 May, 6.30pm: Find out whether Sydney will be the next megacity as leading figure in Australian architecture and design Professor Anthony Burke takes to the podium. Discussing urban expansion and overpopulation, Anthony will also explore Hungarian artist Tamás Kaszás’ Biennale work Shanty-tower (2013-14).

28 May, 6.30pm: The Bedroom Philosopher (aka award-winning author, musician and performer Justin Heazlewood) joins us for a humorous look at contemporary art and the struggles of being an artist in Australia. This specially produced performance is one not to be missed.

Full program

7 May
14 May
21 May
28 May

Art After Hours is supported by Gallery members.