The 2024 Biennale of Sydney Will Explore the Theme 'Ten Thousand Suns' with Help From These First 39 Artists

Heat, power, light, summer, joy, strength, the changing climate: think about the sun and any of these notions might spring to mind. Expect the artists exhibiting at the 24th Biennale of Sydney to ponder them all and more thanks to the two-yearly art showcase's just-announced theme: Ten Thousand Suns.

When the Biennale last popped up in 2022, it did so with a program called Rīvus, which means 'stream' in Latin. It had water on the mind back in 2018, too, when the art event famously showcased Ai Weiwei's 60-metre inflatable boat. For its 2024 run, it's taking inspiration from a glowing source — and it has just revealed the first 39 artists that'll be reflecting on the topic as well.

"The 24th Biennale of Sydney will invoke a spirit of abundance and generosity as powerful political tools, and resist the mainstream mindsets of perpetual crisis that often lead to inaction. This edition revisits legacies of collective resistance, strength and exuberance, embracing a more hopeful and joyful outlook, while celebrating the exhibition as a carnival of rays and radiance, aptly titled Ten Thousand Suns," said 2024 Biennale Artistic Directors Cosmin Costinaș and Inti Guerrero.

"Next year's Biennale works across time periods, beyond the borders separating cultural practices rooted in different genealogies, and from all continents. The exhibition owes a profound debt to the rich heritage of what is known today as Australia, especially to the struggles and practices in which First Nations communities and migrants have faced and played key roles."

Running from Saturday, March 9–Monday, June 10, 2024 across Sydney, and free to attend as always — with the list of venues yet to be revealed — the Biennale will feature works by artists such as William Yang, Tracey Moffatt, Serwah Attafuah, Kirtika Kain and Kaylene Whiskey among the homegrown contingent, as well as Sachiko Kazama from Japan, Francisco Toledo from Mexico and Malaysia's Anne Samat. From the lineup of talents so far, Biennale boasts its usual significant focus on local creatives, accompanied by artists from the US, Brazil, Indonesia, The Philippines, Taiwan, New Zealand, France, Guatemala and more.

In addition to ample art for attendees to peer at, wander past and experience, the 24th Biennale of Sydney will also feature a contemporary music lineup in partnership with Phoenix Central Park. The venue's curatorial skills will be taken to new locations beyond its stunning Chippendale site, responding to both Ten Thousand Suns as a theme and the works on display.

"We have long held the view that contemporary music is an art form worthy of elevated presentations in fine art spaces. It's a great privilege to be creating a music program that will respond to the breadth of work curated by Cosmin Costinaș and Inti Guerrero," said Beau Neilson, Executive Producer and Creative Director at Phoenix Central Park.

"Together they have assembled a rich and dazzling array of visual art that captures the sociopolitical zeitgeist with a spirit of optimism, and we look forward to honouring this vision with an exciting lineup that will span the duration of the Biennale."

BIENNALE OF SYDNEY 2024 — FIRST ARTIST LINEUP:

Adebunmi Gbadebo
Alberto Pitta
Andrew Thomas Huang
Anne Samat
Bonita Ely
Christopher Myers
Citra Sasmita
Darrell Sibosado
Doreen Chapman
Eisa Jocson
Elyas Alavi
Francisco Toledo
Freddy Mamani
Hayv Kahraman
Idas Losin
I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih (Murni)
Li Jiun-Yang
John Pule
Kaylene Whiskey
Kirtika Kain
Marie-Claire Messouma Manlanbien
Ming Wong
Nádia Taquary
Nikau Hindin, Ebonie Fifita-Laufilitoga-Maka, Hina Puamohala Kneubuhl, Hinatea Colombani, Kesaia Biuvanua
Orquideas Barrileteras
Özgür Kar
Pacific Sisters
Pauletta Kerinauia
Sachiko Kazama
Satch Hoyt
Segar Passi
Serwah Attafuah
Tracey Moffatt
Trevor Yeung
Udeido Collective
VNS Matrix
William Strutt
William Yang
Yangamini

The 24th Biennale of Sydney will run from Saturday, March 9–Monday, June 10, 2024. Entry will be free, as always. We'll keep you posted on the whole artist lineup and exhibition program when they're announced. 

Top image: Mr. Cuddles Under the Eave (2021). Trevor Yeung. Pachiras, straps, 7 x 8 x 8m. Photography: South Ho. Courtesy the artist and Blindspot Gallery, Hong Kong