In March, the 22nd Biennale of Sydney unveiled more than 700 artworks by over 100 artists at various exhibition spaces across the city. Unfortunately, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, outbreak and subsequent social distancing measures, the citywide arts festival had to change its plans and people could only experience the festival via its digital program, Nirin Online.
In exciting news, the Biennale has extended its program and you'll be able to visit the Biennale of Sydney at the Art Gallery of NSW, Campbelltown Arts Centre and Artspace from June 1 — and at Cockatoo Island and the Museum of Contemporary Art from June 16.
Campari, official partner of the 22nd Biennale of Sydney, has collaborated with artists Eric Bridgeman and Bhenji Ra to create the Galleria Campari — a creative space on Cockatoo Island where you can chat about the festival over a Negroni or Campari Soda from June 16 to September 6. You can also explore Galleria Campari online.
Bhenji Ra's 'Kamay Kalayo (Hands of Fire)'
Because not everyone will want to, or be able to, travel to Cockatoo Island, Campari has also taken its Biennale Artist Series online. It includes interviews and playlists from artists like Melbourne-based DJ MzRizk and Sydney-based rapper and drummer DOBBY.
Every week a different artist will share their story. Coming up on Friday, June 5, Sydney multidisciplinary artist Bhenji Ra will be sharing her creative practice via Instagram, hosted on the Biennale Instagram page, at 8pm.
In addition to hearing from the artist, you can also enter a competition to win one of her artworks (pictured above), valued at $999. Register your details before the competition closes at 5pm on Saturday, June 6.
The picture is based on a physical art installation by Bhenji Ra, 'Kamay Kalayo (Hands of Fire)', which Campari will be auctioning off on Wednesday, June 10 to raise money for charity that'll support Biennale artists. Find out more, here.
Images: Galleria Campari at Cockatoo Island; artist Bhenji Ra.