Sydney Contemporary Reports AU $21 Million in Sales
The figure dipped slightly from 2022 but sales included a number of notable purchases by Australian institutions.
Sydney Contemporary, Carriageworks (7–10 September 2023). Courtesy Sydney Contemporary. Photos: Wes Nel.
Over 25,000 visitors poured into Sydney Carriage Works for the 10 year-anniversary of Austalasia's premier art fair, Sydney Contemporary.
Running from 7–10 September, the fair racked up a total of AU $21 million (US $13.5 million) in sales, a slight decline from $23 million (US $14.7 million) last year.
Nonetheless, founder Tim Etchell's said, 'We are thrilled by the success of this year's Sydney Contemporary, representing our largest edition to date.'
The fair presented over 500 artists from 96 participating galleries.
Art institutions made several sizable purchases during the fair. An undisclosed Australian institution purchased a work by influential aboriginal painter Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri from D'Lan Contemporary for $550,000 (US $354,000).
The National Gallery of Australia acquired a work by the late Australian sculptor Bronwyn Oliver from Justin Miller Art.
Government art collecting institution Artbank spent $52,700 (US $34,000) on works by Australian contemporary artists, including Marion Abraham, Matthew Bromhead, and Helen Ganalmirriwuy Garrawurra.
And Chalk Horse Art Gallery sold works by Sydney-based ceramicist Mechelle Bounpraseuth to Victorian institution Bendigo Art Gallery for an undisclosed amount.
Other notable results were achieved by Sydney's Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, who sold out their entire booth of bark paintings and larrakitj (memorial poles) by Yolŋu artist Dhambit Munuŋgurr, and Justin Miller Art, who sold out their offering of pre-pop works by Andy Warhol.
Sydney Contemporary also announced the inaugural winner of its acquisitive $10,000 MA Prize. It went to Manyjilyjarra artist Corban Clause Williams who featured in the fair's FUTURE sector with EG Projects.
'To be able to have such an impact here in our country's largest market and have access to new clients and collectors is essential for new galleries like us and the early career artists that we represent,' said EG Projects' director Emilia Galatis. —[O]
