Episode Details

Bonus: Biennale of Sydney 2026 – What Worked, What Didn't & Why It Matters

Episode 42 Published 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Description

I made a 3-minute listener survey to help shape the podcast's future. Your feedback genuinely matters.

Fill out here: https://forms.gle/qqHJrMXpsC9UYu2m7

Leave a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/installationartpodcast

A candid review of the 25th Biennale of Sydney, spanning five venues across Greater Sydney: from a regional gallery that got everything right to an old Power Station full of missed opportunities.

I spent 10 hours at the media preview visiting all five venues: Lewers Penrith Regional Gallery, Chau Chak Wing Museum, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Art Gallery of New South Wales and White Bay Power Station. This isn't a comprehensive report, it’s my personal takeaway on what works (and what fails) when it comes to installation art at an international exhibition.

The 25th Biennale of Sydney, titled Rememory and curated by Hoor Al-Qasimi, demonstrates something that's come up again and again on this podcast: you can have prestigious artists, important topics and historic venues, but if the lighting is wrong, if there's nowhere to sit, if the space outshines the art… it doesn't work.

What I cover:

• Why Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery was the standout venue

• Some highlighted works from each venue

• The 11-minute sound installation no one experiences beyond 15 seconds – and other accessibility challenges

• Documentation vs art – where is the line?

• A moment of comparison: do island Biennales create better experiences?

00:32 Biennale of Sydney Facts

02:57 Penrith Gallery Highlight

05:32 Everyone’s Favorite Installation

08:06 Chau Chak Wing Museum

10:31 Campbelltown Art Centre - Documentary Debate

13:21 Art Gallery of NSW Picks