Exploring contemporary art in Sydney: A VIP experience
My recent trip to the Sydney Contemporary Art Fair, organised by the Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation, was an extraordinary experience filled with art, inspiration, and connection. Led by Jacq Mehrtens, Head of Philanthropy, Development and Partnerships at the Foundation, and the Christchurch Art Gallery’s Director, Blair Jackson, our small group of art patrons explored some of the most remarkable art collections and met incredible artists and gallerists in Sydney. Each stop on this journey left an indelible mark on my artistic practice, reflecting the depth and diversity of contemporary art.
Angela Tiatia’s Narcissus: Reflecting on Self-Image in Modern Society
Our adventure began with a visit to the home of Angela Tiatia, a New Zealand-born artist whose work has made national and international waves. Angela’s piece Narcissus (2019) stood out to me. This work reimagines the Greco-Roman myth of Narcissus, drawing connections to today’s selfie culture and the pervasive influence of social media. The installation’s cast of 40 figures, engaged in various acts of self-worship, was a powerful reflection on contemporary society’s obsession with self-image. Angela’s personal art collection was equally fascinating, echoing the eclectic nature of my own collecting habits. Phil James, another talented artist present during our visit, shared insights into his work, which often subverts nostalgic imagery to create striking pop-psychedelic visuals with playful and sometimes sinister undertones.
Installation view of Angela Tiatia’s Narcissus 2019 in display in NGV Triennial at NGV International, Melbourne © Courtesy the artist and Sullivan + Strumpf, Sydney via Facebook
Westpac’s Art Collection: A Century of Supporting the Arts
Our next stop was the Westpac corporate art collection, where we were guided through a selection of works collected over more than a century. Curator Saadia Durham introduced us to the collection, which spans from the days when Westpac was known as the Bank of New South Wales. The artworks, housed within the architecturally inspiring spaces of Westpac’s Sydney headquarters, were a testament to the bank’s long-standing commitment to supporting the arts.
Gretchen Albrecht’s Shaped Canvases: A Study in Colour and Form
The following day, we visited Fine Arts, Sydney, where Ryan Moore showcased a selection of Gretchen Albrecht’s works. Gretchen, a highly respected New Zealand artist, is known for her signature shaped canvas formats—the hemisphere and the oval—through which she explores resonant combinations of colour and geometry. The paintings on display, including works from the 1990s and early 2000s and recent pieces on copper, demonstrated her poetic impulse and mastery of form and colour.

Locust Jones: Multimedia Exploration of Global Conflict
A highlight of the trip was our visit to the private collection of Robert and Patricia Postema. Their collection, spread across multiple floors, was a revelation. Their collection’s diversity, including contemporary works such as NFTs, video art, sculptures, and photography, was incredibly inspiring. Seeing my work potentially fitting into such a collection was a powerful affirmation of my artistic path. One work that particularly stood out to me was by Locust Jones, a New Zealand artist known for his large-scale drawings and multimedia works that delve into themes of mass media and global conflict. His exploration of layers and light boxes sparked new ideas for my projects.
The Role of Greek and Roman Mythology in Contemporary Art
The Sydney Contemporary Art Fair itself was a vibrant showcase of modern and contemporary art from around the world. During the collector preview, I was drawn to works that explored themes of identity, sexuality, and mythology—areas that align closely with my own practice. Artists like Darren Sylvester and Emil Cañita, who delve into these themes with striking photography, particularly caught my eye. The enduring presence of Greek and Roman mythology in many works reaffirmed my ongoing fascination with these timeless narratives.

Tony and Roslyn Oxley’s Carthona: A Historic Home Filled with Modern Art
Another remarkable experience was our visit to Carthona, the historic Gothic Revival home of Tony and Roslyn Oxley from the Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery. Built in 1840, the mansion has retained much of its original interior while serving as a stunning backdrop for the Oxleys’ extensive art collection. The collection featured notable works by Bill Henson and Tracey Moffatt, two of Australia’s most distinguished artists. Henson’s darkly enigmatic photographs, known for their sublime imagery and use of chiaroscuro, and Moffatt’s powerful visual storytelling, which often explores themes of identity and race, were both deeply inspiring. The hospitality of the Oxleys and the opportunity to see how contemporary photography can seamlessly integrate into such a historic setting was truly eye-opening.

Insights from the Art Gallery of New South Wales
Our private tour of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, led by Justin Paton, Head Curator of International Art and a former curator at Christchurch Art Gallery, offered further insights into the journey of artworks from creation to inclusion in major collections. Justin’s expertise and the stories behind some of the gallery’s significant works were invaluable, especially for an artist seeking to navigate the complexities of the art world.

Artspace Sydney: Conversations with Resident Artists
The final day of our trip took us to Artspace, one of Sydney’s leading institutions for contemporary art. Here, we met several resident artists who shared their practices with us. David M. Thomas, a multidisciplinary artist known for his deadpan humour and strategic exploration of personal biography and acquired objects, discussed his long-standing interest in archives and their role in artistic practice. Gemma Smith, whose work plays with the interaction between colour and surface, showed us how her recent shift in studio space has influenced her artistic direction. Jack Ball, an artist who works with photography and collage to create large-scale sculptural installations, spoke about the fluidity and intimacy in their work, which often explores themes of trans identity. Julia Gutman, the youngest winner of the Archibald Prize in 85 years, captivated us with her intricate textile works made from donated fabric, exploring themes of memory and connection. Finally, Tina Havelock Stevens, whose multidisciplinary practice includes music, photography, and performance, shared how her background as a filmmaker and musician underpins her immersive audio-visual installations. Her approach resonated with my own work, particularly her use of music as a foundational element.

Identity and Form: Inspirations from Sugimoto and Rrap at the MCA
During my visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney, I was particularly captivated by the Hiroshi Sugimoto: Time Machine exhibition. Sugimoto’s mastery of high contrast black and white photography deeply resonated with my own practice, especially his ability to capture the essence of time and memory within stark, monochromatic tones. His photographs of sculptures, which bear a resemblance to my cutlery series, inspires me to think more critically about the interplay between form, texture, and shadow in my work. The meticulous attention to detail in Sugimoto’s images encourages me to explore new ways of bringing depth and dimension to my own photography.
I was also moved by the Julie Rrap: Past Continuous exhibition, where her powerful self-portraits provided an exploration of identity and the body. Rrap’s work, which often challenges traditional representations of the female form, struck a chord with my own explorations of identity through art. Her ability to convey complex emotions and narratives through self-portraiture inspired me to consider how I might further push the boundaries of my work, particularly in how I depict the multifaceted nature of selfhood. The combination of these two exhibitions left me with a renewed sense of purpose, eager to experiment and evolve my artistic practice.

More Than Art
Throughout the trip, we were also treated to some of Sydney’s finest dining experiences, where the conversations with fellow art lovers were as enriching as the art we encountered. These shared meals were opportunities to delve deeper into the stories behind the collections we visited and to gain a greater understanding of the art world from both an industry and a personal collecting perspective.
This journey through Sydney Contemporary was more than just a tour; it was a deep dive into the world of contemporary art, offering inspiration and connections that will undoubtedly influence my future work. It reaffirmed the power of art to connect us across time, space, and personal experiences, and I return to my studio with a renewed sense of purpose and creativity.
Photos featured by me.
You can also read a recent journal entry written while I was on this trip – Capturing Sydney’s Unique Light: My Journey Toward High Contrast Street Photography