Biennale of Sydney at White Bay

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Sat 09 Mar 2024 - Mon 10 Jun 2024

Robert St, Rozelle

A biennale celebrates art and architecture featuring artworks, sculptures, performances, and installations. The most famous and prestigious of these festivals is the Venice Biennale, the longest-running cultural festival in the world. The Biennale of Sydney is at six venues from March through June, so there is no need to travel to Venice to experience this unique festival.

I visited the 24th Biennale of Sydney exhibition at White Bay, at Robert St, Rozelle, one of six venues around Sydney where this exhibition is being held. Most of the exhibitions are free and are well worth a visit, but some events require payment.

Using public transport, I arrived at the heritage-listed White Bay Power Station not knowing this is the first time in a hundred years this once busy coal power station has been opened to the public. The first thing that struck me was the scale of the venue, it was imposing and the historical element was evident from the entrance.

Walking through, I was intrigued not only by the art but also by the industrial feel of the venue, it was amazing walking through this immense space full of machinery, steel, timber, and huge wooden beams.


The scale of the artworks was mesmerising, but they were dwarfed by the power station's mass and grandeur of 38,000 square metres. As you enter, the artworks come into view with light spilling from the huge windows and partly transparent roof. Each piece has a plaque showing the artists' names and their vision for the theme, Ten Thousand Suns. Allow a few hours to see everything, you can rest in various areas throughout and there is a cafe that serves snacks, a bar, and seating areas outdoors. The space is flat, accessible with lifts and there are stairs to the other levels.


The program lists a variety of artist talks, live music, panels, performances, and workshops, but when I visited, these were not scheduled. Check the website page listing events for more information about these, but note that they are ticketed. There is even a Family Day on Saturday 23 March that caters for all age groups, which will be lots of fun for young ones. I may return for Art After Dark at White Bay on a Wednesday night to see the artworks in the different lights and shades of the evening.

I recommend going to at least one of the venues and experiencing what is a transcendent journey through contemporary art. I found the White Bay Power House venue to be a feature along with the artworks, it is almost like seeing two exhibitions at once.


The 24th Biennale of Sydney celebrates our rich Australian history, the struggles of our First Nations peoples, and of the many migrants who have shaped our nation. As I walked through the exhibition, I embraced the radiance, colours, and textures of the artworks as well as taking in the iconic venue, which I believe is a brilliant backdrop for the works.

The list of venues, dates, and times can be found here


Getting to White Bay -
The 443 special event bus from the CBD commences service 30 minutes before opening at the following times:
Weekdays: every 15 minutes
Weekends: every 10 minutes
Regular bus routes 441 and 442, departing from the QVB Stand B, will stop at Robert Street, Rozelle.
441 City Art Gallery to Birchgrove (Loop Service)
Mon-Fri: 07:00 am - 11:30 pm every 10-15 minutes
Weekend: 08:20 am - 11:30 pm every 30 -60 minutes
442 City QVB to Balmain East Wharf (Loop Service)
Mon-Fri: 05:30 am - 11:40 pm every 10 minutes
Weekend: 07:00 am to 11:40 pm every 10 minutes
Regular Opal charges apply for public transport.

Other venues:
Artspace - Woolloomooloo -
Art Gallery of NSW
Chua Chak Wing at Sydney University
Museum of Contemporary Art
Sydney Opera House - Badu Gili Lighting of the Sails - throughout March.

#arts_culture
#family_friendly
#artsfestival
#exhibition
#festival
#rozelle
%wnsydney