One of Australasia's premier art fairs, Sydney Contemporary, returns to Carriageworks from 11-14 September 2025. This year it introduces a significant new addition to its program: a dedicated platform for contemporary photography titled 'Photo Sydney'. This landmark initiative marks a new chapter for the fair, which has been a cornerstone of the Australian arts calendar since its inception in 2013.
Now in its ninth edition, Sydney Contemporary has evolved from a biennial event to an essential annual fixture, consistently showcasing the best of contemporary art from the region and beyond. The introduction of Photo Sydney is a strategic response to the undeniable surge in photography's prominence within the fine art world.
Once relegated to a documentary role, photography is now a celebrated and highly collectable medium, commanding space on the walls of major institutions and private collections alike.
The fair's organisers have noted a consistent demand from collectors for a more substantial and focused representation of the photographic medium.
Curated and developed with advice from the esteemed Sandy Edwards, the photographer and former director of the renowned Stills Gallery, Photo Sydney will operate as a "fair within a fair." It will provide a dedicated space for 17 leading galleries and photographers to present curated exhibitions of new and significant photographic works. The inaugural lineup promises a compelling survey of the medium's current landscape, featuring a diverse array of galleries and artistic collectives.
Among the confirmed exhibitors are respected names such as Blender Gallery, known for its focus on music and pop culture photography; Australian Galleries, which will be presenting works by acclaimed photographer Greg Weight; and Olsen Gallery. The new sector will also feature solo presentations, with artists like Alexia Sinclair and Toby Burrows showcasing their distinctive practices. Further enriching the offering are collectives like the Oculi Collective, and celebrated artists including the internationally recognised Roger Ballen and architectural photographer John Gollings.
This new focus not only diversifies the viewing experience for the more than 25,000 visitors expected to attend but also provides a critical platform for the artists and galleries at the forefront of contemporary photography.
Launching tomorrow, Photo Sydney is set to be a major highlight for the arts community, offering seasoned collectors, new buyers, and photographers alike an unparalleled opportunity to discover and acquire exceptional photographic art in a single, dynamic setting.
Ticket prices range from $35 – $150.
You can find out more about Photo Sydney on the Sydney Contemporary website.
Images of exhibiting photographers at Photo Sydney.
