Back in the city in time for the Sydney Biennale 2026 titled “Rememory” which runs till June 14. That gives me enough time to visit most of the biennale venues, starting with the Art Gallery of New South Wales within The Domain near the Botanical Gardens and the Saint Mary’s Cathedral. The other venues for the Biennale of Sydney begs subsequent visits and thankfully, I have all the time. Thankfully too, admission is free and judging by the attendance on this first visit, not too crowded. The gallery has 2 buildings and the biennale exhibits are housed in the lower level of the smaller building. Without missing a beat, we proceeded to check out the Ngurrara Canvas II which is an 80-square meter floor canvas created in 1997 by 43 artists from the Great Sandy Desert in Western Australia. The artwork represents the “living map” of waterholes and song lines claimed as evidence in native title proceedings. Song lines, you ask? Think Australia being “mapped” by this rather unique, albeit strange method practiced by aborigines through song, dance, art and story. Navigation across Australia’s territories is guided by song cycles in specific order tracking landmarks that define boundaries. Amazing, isn’t it? I’m floored!
The impressive canvas may be the largest Aboriginal painting made by Western Desert artists. Just imagine how this piece of art was created and presented to the National Native Title Tribunal to support the Ngurrara people’s claims for native titles. It is regarded as the last time the floor canvas will travel away from its Western Australian home and as such, the final chance for Sydneysiders to see this very rare and meaningful work of art and piece of history.
“Rememory” as the theme for the 25th Biennale of Sydney marks this city Down Under as the host of the largest contemporary art event in the whole of Australia. The large scale installations alone are quite an experience, but do not diminish the smaller but equally bold artworks on display. In the hall where Ngurrara Canvas II is laid out, it is very difficult to just focus on the floor canvas as the paintings hanging around the hall’s walls and the installations adorning the corners compete for serious attention. On canvas or fabric, it is hardcore creativity.
I will most definitely be back here in the Art Gallery of NSW, not just for the biennale but also for the many artworks on exhibit in this gallery. A couple of hours won’t cut it. This will require repeated visits which I plan to do. Meanwhile, let me check the other biennale venues:
White Bay Power Station
Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney
Campbelltown Arts Centre
Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery
lifeisacelebration 