Art & About

Overview

It's that time of year again when an innocent trip to the park or shortcut down a laneway could take you by surprise (or bring you flashbacks of Melbourne). Now in its ninth year, Art & About is back for a month of not only frivolous word play but also free public art projects, installations, dressed-up statues and outdoor galleries.

Transforming Sydney’s laneways are nine contemporary artists, including Mikala Dwyer, Newell Harry and Simon Yates. Take a backstreet home from the office and you'll be immersed in unexpected works of art inspired by Dylan Thomas, Miles Davis and even the Underwood typewriter. Historical statues around town are treated to a makeover from Sydney's emerging artists, textile and costume designers. Reinventing them for modern-day Sydney, this quirky public art project introduces the likes of Captain Cook to the world of meggings, paisley shirts and '70s prints.

Other projects include the Banner Gallery, a collaboration with public art aficionado John Kaldor, Sydney Life, an outdoor photo gallery capturing intimate slices of Sydney, and CAMP Stonewall, an outdoor gallery exploring the struggle for gay rights and revealing some of Sydney's 'coming out' stories. Sydney band Dappled Cities headline the free public launch in Hyde Park on Thursday, September 23 from 6pm.

Image: Carmen, Elizabeth Street by Jenny Templin.