Carriageworks — Attraction in Sydney

Sydney Contemporary is worth visiting alone for the whole room dedicated to making three Jonny Niesche pieces perform at their best, against a long mirror that further confounds the eye. Colour was a focus in the collection from Melbourne’s Mars Gallery, presenting artists including Atom Ateng and Bruce Munro. Keep your eyes peeled for sculptures in foyers, like Augusta Vinall Richardson’s Any Way (2025) and Marley Dawson play on aluminium chairs: 1006 Portal (2024). There was lots of texture on display, including Nic Fern’s quirky cotton embroidery, Real Men Cry (2005).

Floating islands of the future impressed from Yang Yongliang on backlit LED boxes, though it was Korean artist, Hwang Seontae, who owned the medium with tempered glass pieces centred upon glowing backlit views. Bronwyn Hill did my favourite collection of photorealism, Tina Fiveash in the photography. Christopher Zanko’s wood relief carvings still catch my eye, as do Catherine O’Donnell’s idealised fibro house details. I was also amused by Donovan Christie’s oil painting of the Women’s Weekly cake I wanted so desperately as a kid. Gerwyn Davies’ costumes converted into RSL club pennants are worth taking a trip into the eating zone for, along with Quality Meat (2025).

The amount of floor space sees larger scale pieces like Chinese Carp by Shen Shaomin, and childlike statues by Louise Paramor, draw crowds. There are of course the usual tropes—from dildos (Dale Frank), to cows (Stuart McLachlan), shibari (Adam Parker Smith), rumpled paints and plastics (Helen Calder), resin blocks, ceramic fruit, and neon lights. However, scattered amongst over 400 artists represented by more than 100 galleries, there is bound to be...

Came to my first gig here a couple of weeks ago.

Was super easy to get in via the security/ticket scanning and then into the outdoor area to grab a couple of drinks before heading into the main hall. Plenty staff working the bar so the line moved very quickly plus two additional bars inside the main hall too. My only gripe was the very average beer selection. Good to see they had chosen a sort of independent brewery as the beer supplier but why would you choose a brewery from over In Western Australia and then choose two of their most average beers when you’re surrounded by local craft breweries. Why not support local Sydney businesses and put on a selection of local beers. I meet a number of people on the night whom had travelled from regional NSW or interstate for this gig, give them the opportunity to try some great locally made beers.

Sound was okay, a bit muffled at times but when I listened to the videos I took the next day it was crystal clear 🤷🏻‍♂️. Could have been where I was standing. Also, if you don’t get a spot in the middle of the stage you will get an obstructed view on either side from the columns holding the venue up. Get in there early to secure a good spot.

Staging and lighting throughout the night was very good. As was the number of cubicles available, easy to get in and out for a quick wizza without waiting for ages in a line that you can get at other venues.

Couple of food trucks also available in the outdoor area which were still knocking out food after the event which was good to see. I didn’t eat from them as I’d eaten beforehand but good to know for any...

We recently attended the Sydney Writers’ Festival at Carriageworks and were thoroughly impressed by the venue. The industrial-chic architecture and spacious layout provided an inspiring backdrop for the festival’s diverse range of talks and panels. The atmosphere was vibrant, and the event was well-organized, making it a memorable experience for literature enthusiasts. 

However, one challenge we encountered was parking. On-site parking is quite limited, with only a few accessible spaces available at 229 Wilson Street on a first-come, first-served basis. While there is paid parking at Shepherd Street Carpark in Darlington, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Carriageworks. Given these constraints, it’s advisable to plan ahead. Public transport is a convenient option, with Redfern and Macdonaldtown stations just a 10-minute walk away, and several bus routes stopping nearby.   

Despite the parking situation, Carriageworks remains a fantastic venue for cultural events like the Sydney Writers’ Festival. The engaging environment and high-quality programming make it well worth the visit. Just be sure to consider your transportation options in advance to ensure a...