25th Edition · Free Entry · Australia’s Largest Contemporary Art Event
Biennale of Sydney 2026
Rememory
14 March – 14 June 2026
Three months of powerful, thought-provoking contemporary art from 83 artists and collectives across 37 countries — presented completely free across five major Sydney venues.
Duration
3 Months
Artists
83 from 37 Countries
Entry
Free to Public
Venues
5 Major Sites
About the Biennale
Australia’s Largest Contemporary Art Event Returns for Its 25th Edition
The 25th Biennale of Sydney runs from Saturday 14 March to Sunday 14 June 2026 — presenting one of the most ambitious and geographically expansive editions in the festival’s 53-year history. Titled Rememory, this edition is curated by internationally acclaimed Artistic Director Hoor Al Qasimi, the first Arab curator appointed to the role, alongside First Nations Curatorial Fellow Bruce Johnson McLean.
The theme Rememory borrows its title from celebrated author Toni Morrison — specifically her 1987 novel Beloved — exploring the intersection of memory and history as a means of revisiting, reconstructing, and reclaiming forgotten or marginalised narratives. The edition shines a light on First Nations stories, diverse diasporas, and the layered histories that have shaped Australia and the world.
Since its inception in 1973, the Biennale of Sydney has provided a platform for art and ideas, showcasing the work of over 2,400 artists from more than 130 countries. Today it stands as one of the leading international contemporary art events globally — and in 2026, it comes to Sydney completely free.
25th
Edition
83
Artists & Collectives
37
Countries Represented
1973
Festival Founded
The Theme
Rememory — Reclaiming Histories, Shaping Identities
In Toni Morrison’s writing, rememory describes the act of delving into the fragmented and forgotten parts of history — to recover, confront and retell untold stories in the present. For the 25th Biennale of Sydney, this concept becomes a lens through which artists from across the globe engage with Sydney, its communities, and the layered memories that define them.
Through Rememory, artists reflect on their own roots while engaging with Sydney’s histories — exploring themes of migration, exile, belonging, and resistance. The edition amplifies marginalised voices, celebrates First Nations cultural sovereignty, and invites visitors to rethink how memory shapes identity, community and belonging.
“Rememory explores the intersection of memory and history as a means of revisiting, reconstructing, and reclaiming histories — amplifying stories from First Nations communities, and the divergent diasporas that shape Australia today.”
Hoor Al Qasimi, Artistic Director, 25th Biennale of Sydney
Exhibition Venues
Five Major Sites Across Greater Sydney
The 2026 Biennale spans the city and beyond — from inner Sydney’s industrial heritage to Western Sydney’s cultural communities. All venues are free to enter.
White Bay Power Station
Rozelle, Inner West Sydney
The centrepiece venue of the 2026 Biennale, White Bay Power Station’s vast industrial halls provide a breathtaking backdrop for monumental installations. Highlights include Gabriel Chaile’s adobe clay oven — a working sculpture that feeds visitors — and Dennis Golding’s massive bead maze tribute to growing up in Redfern’s The Block.
Every Friday evening, the venue hosts Art After Dark programs. Every Saturday and Sunday, the Memory Lane Food Markets bring Rememory to life through food shaped by migration, family and identity.
Access via 443 bus from QVB · Rideshare recommended
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery Road, Sydney CBD
The Art Gallery of NSW presents some of the Biennale’s most significant works, including the Ngurrara Canvas II — an 80-square-metre floor painting created by Ngurrara artists from Western Australia’s Great Sandy Desert in a final showing away from Country, accompanied by performances from traditional owners and dance troupes. Also on display are Kapwani Kiwanga’s striking floral installations from her Flowers of Africa series.
Walkable from St James or Martin Place stations
Chau Chak Wing Museum
University of Sydney, Camperdown
More prominent than ever in the 2026 program, the Chau Chak Wing Museum blends art and history in a more intimate and reflective setting. The museum hosts Melbourne textile artist Ema Shin’s two-metre handwoven heart — a meditation on care, labour and remembrance. Family-friendly programming and guided tours run throughout the season.
Short bus ride from Central or Redfern station
Campbelltown Arts Centre
Campbelltown, South Western Sydney
Campbelltown Arts Centre extends the Biennale’s reach into South Western Sydney, reflecting the festival’s commitment to access and community engagement. The venue presents works deeply connected to local histories and voices, with programs designed to engage Campbelltown’s diverse communities.
Direct train from Central Station
Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery
Penrith, Western Sydney
Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery brings the Biennale to Western Sydney, one of the most culturally diverse regions in Australia. The gallery’s setting — a heritage homestead surrounded by gardens — offers a distinct and intimate experience of the Rememory theme, grounding global art narratives in local Western Sydney soil.
Direct train from Central Station to Penrith
Additional Public Program Venues
Beyond the five major sites, the Biennale’s public programs extend across Greater Sydney, including:
- Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA), Circular Quay
- Sydney Opera House — Badu Gili: Story Keepers projections on Eastern Bennelong Sails
- Marrickville Town Hall
- Redfern Town Hall
- Sydney Town Hall
- Parramatta Artist Studios
- National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, Redfern
- Fairfield City Museum & Gallery
- Centenary Square, Parramatta
Must-See Highlights
Standout Works & Experiences in 2026
Ngurrara Canvas II
Art Gallery of NSW
An extraordinary 80-square-metre floor painting created in 1997 by Ngurrara artists from Western Australia’s Great Sandy Desert to demonstrate Native Title connection to Country — presented here in what is described as its final showing away from Country. Traditional owners will travel to Sydney for special dance performances alongside the work.
Gabriel Chaile’s Adobe Clay Oven
White Bay Power Station
Argentinian artist Gabriel Chaile constructs a monumental adobe clay oven inside the cavernous Turbine Hall at White Bay — activated throughout the festival to cook and feed visitors. A living sculpture that transforms art into communal ritual, food, and shared memory.
Cannupa Hanska Luger — Ceramic Dingo Whistles
White Bay Power Station
A sculptural sound installation of ceramic whistles shaped like dingoes — designed to howl through the Turbine Hall at White Bay, invoking the haunting presence of Australia’s most contested native animal and the colonial histories bound up in its story.
Ema Shin — Two-Metre Handwoven Heart
Chau Chak Wing Museum
Melbourne textile artist Ema Shin presents a monumental two-metre handwoven heart — a labour-intensive meditation on care, endurance, and emotional memory, inviting viewers to consider what we carry and what we pass on.
Kapwani Kiwanga — Flowers of Africa
Art Gallery of NSW
Canadian-French artist Kapwani Kiwanga’s striking floral installations from her celebrated Flowers of Africa series — using botanical imagery to explore colonial histories, resistance, and the ways in which nature becomes entangled with political power.
Dennis Golding — Bead Maze
White Bay Power Station
A massive bead maze by 26-year-old Gamilaraay and Biripi man Dennis Golding — a tribute to growing up in The Block in Redfern in the 1990s. The beads symbolise gentrification and draw parallels to colonisation, using leftover bricks from an Aboriginal flag mural to deepen the symbolism.
Badu Gili: Story Keepers
Sydney Opera House — Free, Nightly
Free nightly projections on the Sydney Opera House’s Eastern Bennelong Sails celebrating First Nations stories. Running until December 2026, this is one of Sydney’s most magical free experiences — catch it after a day at the CBD Biennale venues.
Africa Day Festival
Saturday 23 May 2026
Artists Rebecca Williams and Adechoon curate a large-scale festival celebrating Africa Day — featuring market stalls, food from across the African continent, live performances, and music with a focus on Afro-artists based in Western Sydney. Preceded by a special Art After Dark program on 22 May.
Regular Programs
Weekly & Ongoing Events Throughout the Season
- Every
FriArt After Dark
White Bay Power Station opens for special evening programs every Friday throughout the Biennale season. A curated mix of performances, artist talks, activations and atmospheric experiences in one of Sydney’s most dramatic spaces — the industrial Turbine Hall after dark.
- Every
Sat & SunMemory Lane Food Markets
Every weekend throughout the full three-month season, White Bay Power Station hosts the Memory Lane Food Markets — celebrating food as living memory. Dishes shaped by family recipes, migration routes, land and cultural identity invite visitors to experience the Biennale not just as art, but as nourishment, story, and community.
- All
SeasonGuided Art Tours
Expert-led guided tours run across all five major venues throughout the season, offering deeper insight into the works, the artists, and the Rememory theme. General art tours and history tours of White Bay Power Station in partnership with Museums of History NSW are available. Bookings recommended.
- All
SeasonArtist Talks & Panels
Many artists present free public talks during the Biennale season — often held at AGNSW, Artspace in Woolloomooloo, and White Bay. Spots fill quickly, particularly for intimate sessions at smaller venues. Book in advance via the official Biennale website.
- All
SeasonFamily Days
Family-friendly programming runs throughout the Biennale at multiple venues — particularly at the Chau Chak Wing Museum, where dedicated family days offer hands-on activities, storytelling, and guided experiences designed for younger visitors. Free entry for all.
Biennale Events 2026
Browse All Biennale of Sydney Events & Programs
Find talks, tours, performances, markets, family days and special programs running across all venues throughout the Biennale season. Use the filters to find events by date, venue or type.
How Fire Shapes The World – Youth Movement Workshop with Victoria Hunt – Sydney | 10 May, 2026
Picking Up The Pieces – Jewellery Making Workshop with Dennis Golding – Redfern, Sydney | 10 May, 2026
Chen Chieh-jen’s Share Stage Project: Super Inday Art Project – Rozelle, Sydney | 10 May, 2026
Art After Dark – Africa Day Showcase presented by BEKADE Entertainment – Sydney | 22 May, 2026
Tertiary Talk with Helen Grace – Campbelltown Arts Centre – Sydney | 19 May, 2026
Low Vision Artsmaking Workshop: ‘Impact’ – Rozelle, Sydney | 17 May, 2026
White Bay Power Station x Biennale of Sydney Behind the Scenes Tours – Sydney | 16 May – 13 June, 2026
Creative Histories: Artists in the Archives – Chau Chak Wing Museum – Sydney | 14 May, 2026
Accessible Art Day – Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery – Sydney | 11 May, 2026
Africa Day – White Bay Power Station – Rozelle, Sydney | 23 May, 2026
Fresh from the Oven of Gabriel Chaile – with Andina Peruvian Cuisine – Rozelle, Sydney | 2 May – 13 June, 2026
Auslan Art Tours – White Bay Power Station – Rozelle, Sydney | 21 March – 2 May – 13 June, 2026
Sensory Friendly Tactile Tours – White Bay Power Station – Rozelle, Sydney | 17 May – 14 June
Audio Described Tactile Tours – White Bay Power Station – Rozelle, Sydney | 17 May – 14 June, 2026
Picking Up The Pieces – First Nations History Tours, The Block – Redfern, Sydney | 22 March – 26 April – 31 May, 2026
Galleries Open Early – Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery – Sydney | 27 March – 24 April – 29 May, 2026
Chau Chak Wing Museum Biennale of Sydney Audio Descriptive Tour for Blind and Low Vision Visitors – Sydney | 21 April – 14 May, 2026
Auslan Tour of Biennale of Sydney at Chau Chak Wing Museum – Camperdown, Sydney | 21 April – 14 May, 2026
Visitor Guide
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Plan Your Visit by Zone
With five major venues spread across Greater Sydney, the best approach is to plan by zone rather than trying to see everything in one day.
- City Day: Combine the Art Gallery of NSW with nearby CBD venues and public programs. Walkable from St James or Martin Place stations.
- Inner West Day: Dedicate a full day to White Bay Power Station — take the 443 bus from QVB. Book guided tours early. Stay for the weekend Food Markets.
- University Day: Visit the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney — a short bus from Central — paired with a stop at nearby Newtown.
- Western Sydney Day: Campbelltown Arts Centre and Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery are both accessible via direct train from Central — ideal as a combined Western Sydney art day.
Essential Tips
- All venues are free — no ticket required for general entry to any of the five major sites.
- Allow three months — don’t try to see it all in one day. The Biennale is designed to be experienced gradually over the full season.
- Book talks early — artist talks and special programs fill quickly, especially at smaller venues like Artspace.
- White Bay floors are uneven — wear comfortable shoes for the industrial spaces at White Bay Power Station.
- Go on weekdays — avoid peak weekend crowds, particularly at White Bay and AGNSW.
- Catch Badu Gili at sunset — the free nightly Opera House projections are best experienced at dusk. Pair with a Circular Quay or The Rocks dinner.
- Accessibility — all venues have ramps and Auslan-interpreted tours available. Book ahead for Auslan programs.
- Getting around — Sydney’s trains, buses and ferries connect all venues. An Opal card covers everything.
Curatorial Team
The Visionaries Behind Rememory
Hoor Al Qasimi
Artistic Director — 25th Biennale of Sydney
Hoor Al Qasimi is an internationally acclaimed curator and the first Arab Artistic Director appointed in the Biennale of Sydney’s 53-year history. Her curatorial practice is deeply focused on truth-telling, lived experience, and cultural diversity. She has previously served as curator for the Lahore Biennale in 2020 and as Artistic Director for the Aichi Triennale in Japan in 2025. Her appointment marks a significant moment in the Biennale’s evolution towards amplifying global and marginalised voices.
Bruce Johnson McLean
First Nations Curatorial Fellow — 25th Biennale of Sydney
Bruce Johnson McLean serves as First Nations Curatorial Fellow for the 25th Biennale, playing a vital role in shaping the program’s engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, communities, and histories. His presence in the curatorial team underscores the Biennale’s commitment to placing First Nations voices and perspectives at the centre of the Rememory theme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Biennale of Sydney 2026 FAQs
When is the Biennale of Sydney 2026?
The 25th Biennale of Sydney runs from Saturday 14 March to Sunday 14 June 2026 — a full three months of free contemporary art across Sydney.
Is the Biennale of Sydney 2026 free?
Yes — entry to all five major exhibition venues is completely free. Some special ticketed events, evening programs and guided tours may have a cost. Check the official Biennale website for specific event pricing.
What is the theme of the 2026 Biennale of Sydney?
The 25th Biennale of Sydney is titled Rememory, curated by Artistic Director Hoor Al Qasimi. The theme is inspired by Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved and explores how memory and history intersect — revisiting, reconstructing, and reclaiming marginalised stories, with a particular focus on First Nations voices and Australia’s diverse diasporas.
Where is the Biennale of Sydney 2026 held?
The 2026 Biennale is presented across five major venues: White Bay Power Station (Rozelle), Art Gallery of New South Wales (Sydney CBD), Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney (Camperdown), Campbelltown Arts Centre, and Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery. Additional public programs run at venues across Inner City and Western Sydney including the MCA, Sydney Town Hall, Redfern Town Hall, and Parramatta Artist Studios.
How many artists are in the Biennale of Sydney 2026?
The 25th Biennale of Sydney features 83 artists and collectives from 37 countries, including artists from Australia, New Zealand, Guatemala, India, USA, Argentina, Lebanon, France, Ireland, Ethiopia, Algeria, Taiwan and beyond.
Who is curating the 2026 Biennale of Sydney?
Hoor Al Qasimi is the Artistic Director — the first Arab curator appointed to the role in the Biennale’s history. She is joined by First Nations Curatorial Fellow Bruce Johnson McLean.
Are there family-friendly activities at the Biennale of Sydney 2026?
Yes — the Biennale offers family days, guided tours, workshops and accessible programs across multiple venues. The Chau Chak Wing Museum hosts dedicated family programming. The Memory Lane Food Markets at White Bay Power Station every Saturday and Sunday are also ideal for families.
What are the Memory Lane Food Markets?
Every Saturday and Sunday throughout the Biennale season, White Bay Power Station hosts the Memory Lane Food Markets — celebrating food as living memory, where dishes are shaped by family, migration, land and identity. Free to attend, running every weekend from March to June 2026.
How do I get to White Bay Power Station?
White Bay Power Station in Rozelle is accessible via the 443 bus from QVB (Queen Victoria Building, Sydney CBD). Rideshare is also recommended. Allow extra time and book guided tours in advance as they sell out quickly, especially on weekends.
Is the Biennale of Sydney accessible?
Yes — all venues have ramp access and Auslan-interpreted tours are available at key venues. Book ahead for Auslan programs. Note that White Bay Power Station has uneven floors in the industrial spaces — wear comfortable footwear.
14 March – 14 June 2026 · Free Entry · Five Venues
Experience Rememory — Sydney’s Most Significant Art Event of 2026
From the industrial grandeur of White Bay Power Station to the sacred Ngurrara Canvas at the Art Gallery of NSW, the 25th Biennale of Sydney offers three months of powerful, free contemporary art unlike anything else in Australia.
Plan your visit today. Bring your curiosity. Leave with new eyes.
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