Today, Sydney Contemporary, Australasia’s largest and most diverse art fair, announced a headline partnership with leading ASX-listed financial services firm MA Financial Group, ahead of the fair’s sixth edition. Sydney Contemporary 2021, will be held at Carriageworks from Thursday 9 September until Sunday 12 September.
Sydney Contemporary Founder, Tim Etchells said: “Over the last eight years Sydney Contemporary has been firmly established as the region's most influential fair and critical to the growth of the local art market. We anticipate 2021 will be our strongest year yet. We are excited that MA Financial Group has chosen to become our Principal Partner as an important element of its corporate rebranding to MA Financial Group. Together we share our values of integrity and excellence and a passion for contemporary art.”
Sydney Contemporary 2021 returns with a refreshed identity and expects to build upon the success of its previous five editions, which have collectively attracted more than 112,000 collectors, curators and art enthusiasts, whilst recording more than AU$80 million in art sales.
MA Financial Group Joint Chief Executive Officer, Chris Wyke said:
Partnering with Sydney Contemporary is a natural choice for MA Financial Group. We are a long-time supporter of contemporary artists and believe a vibrant arts community is an important pillar of our dynamic culture.
In our 12th year we are changing our company name to MA Financial Group. Our new name better reflects our company today following many years of growth and increased diversity of business activities. It is symbolic at this time that we partner with Australasia’s largest art fair, which is also known for the diversity of artists represented.
There’s arguably never been a more important time than now to support artists. As well as providing all-important exposure to established and emerging artists, Sydney Contemporary has a strong track record of also generating strong sales – helping to sustain artistic livelihoods. We look forward to a fruitful association with Australasia’s premier contemporary art fair.”
Sydney Contemporary Fair Director, Barry Keldoulis said: “We’re excited to welcome all who enjoy art to Sydney Contemporary 2021, for a full and vibrant fair experience. After a year of living virtually, gallerists, curators, and collectors are all eager for an ‘In Real Life’ experience of art. We look forward to being able to, once again, celebrate and support our contemporary art community.
Each presentation of Sydney Contemporary generates the most concentrated week of art sales in the calendar year in Australasia, with past Fairs securing total sales in excess of AU$15 million.
The return of Sydney Contemporary comes at a critical time to support artists, with the Fair contributing a large proportion of annual artist income. In 2019, more than AU$10 million of the total sales went to artists, demonstrating a powerful boost to artists to help ensure continuation of their practices, and a major injection to the arts economy.
The full list of participating galleries for Sydney Contemporary 2021 will be announced in early May 2021.
“The galleries have come back keener than ever, many requesting more space, and we look forward to announcing the full list of galleries, along with an extensive program of talks, installations, panel discussions and performances that will make the Fair one of the must-do art events of the year,” said Keldoulis.
