25 Jul 2023

Biennale of Sydney announces 2024 exhibition: Ten Thousand Suns

The Biennale of Sydney has today announced the curatorial vision and first 39 artists for the 24th edition, titled Ten Thousand Suns. This major international contemporary art festival will be open to the public from 9 March to 10 June 2024, presented in various locations across Sydney.

Led by Artistic Directors Cosmin Costinaș and Inti Guerrero, the 24th Biennale of Sydney proposes celebration as both a method and a source of joy, produced in common and broadly shared. With an exhibition of contemporary art at its core, the event will draw inspiration from histories of queer resistance and of coming together to thrive in the face of injustice.

In partnership with Phoenix Central Park, a program of contemporary music will be presented alongside the exhibition, responding to the works on display and complementing Costinaș and Guerrero’s theme. Expanding beyond its multi-award-winning, architecturally celebrated home in Chippendale, Sydney, audiences can expect Phoenix's widely-appreciated curatorial footprint to be translated to exciting new locations, with a line-up of bold and performative music experiences.

Artistic Directors Cosmin Costinaș and Inti Guerrero said: “Together with the entire team of the Biennale of Sydney, we are humbled and full of joy as we announce a partial list of artists participating in the 24th Biennale of Sydney. Next year’s Biennale works across time periods, beyond the borders separating cultural practices rooted in different genealogies, and from all continents. The exhibition owes a profound debt to the rich heritage of what is known today as Australia, especially to the struggles and practices in which First Nations communities and migrants have faced and played key roles.

“The 24th Biennale of Sydney will invoke a spirit of abundance and generosity as powerful political tools and resist the mainstream mindsets of perpetual crisis that often lead to inaction. This edition revisits legacies of collective resistance, strength, and exuberance, embracing a more hopeful and joyful outlook, while celebrating the exhibition as a carnival of rays and radiance, aptly titled Ten Thousand Suns.”

Costinaș and Guerrero are frequent collaborators, and their exhibitions embrace the multiplicities of people’s viewpoints, reflected in the unique experiences and possibilities that art can provide, inviting people to challenge and be challenged, to learn and celebrate together. For the 24th Biennale of Sydney (2024), Australia’s vibrant communities are central to their thinking, while seeing the Biennale as a place that reaffirms the urgency for international dialogue.

Barbara Moore, Chief Executive Officer, Biennale of Sydney said: “The Biennale of Sydney is one of the top biennials in the world – a leader in this global art movement – presenting the most innovative contemporary art and ideas from around the world. And admission is free for everyone. So come and experience it, sharing the joys and challenges of our time as a communal participatory experience, inspired by incredible art and artists. As the Biennale of Sydney celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, it is fitting that this edition is a celebration about overcoming adversity to thrive as a community.”

The artists selected have practices firmly rooted in diverse communities and artistic vocabularies, inviting audiences to bear witness to multiple histories.

Minister for the Arts and Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham said: “The Biennale of Sydney is a much-anticipated event every two years. That reflects its record as an amazing place to experience the best of contemporary art. I am delighted to see music recognised in this way at the Biennale for the first time.

“It is a signature event on our state’s cultural events calendar that attracts tens of thousands of visitors to Sydney every two years, supporting our goal for Sydney to be recognised as a destination for cultural events and experiences.”

Beau Neilson, Executive Producer and Creative Director, Phoenix Central Park said: “We have long held the view that contemporary music is an art form worthy of elevated presentations in fine art spaces. It’s a great privilege to be creating a music program that will respond to the breadth of work curated by Cosmin Costinaș and Inti Guerrero. Together they have assembled a rich and dazzling array of visual art that captures the socio-political zeitgeist with a spirit of optimism, and we look forward to honouring this vision with an exciting line-up that will span the duration of the Biennale.”

The first 39 artists announced today as part of the 24th Biennale of Sydney (2024) are:

Adebunmi Gbadebo (USA)
Alberto Pitta (Brazil)
Andrew Thomas Huang (USA)
Anne Samat (Malaysia) Bonita Ely (Australia)
Christopher Myers (USA)
Citra Sasmita (Indonesia)
Darrell Sibosado (Bard/Noongar, Australia)
Doreen Chapman (Manyjilyjarra, Australia)
Eisa Jocson (Philippines)
Elyas Alavi (Hazara, Afghanistan / Australia)
Francisco Toledo (Mexico)
Freddy Mamani (The Plurinational State of Bolivia)
Hayv Kahraman (Iraq / Sweden / USA)
Idas Losin (Truku/Atayal, Taiwan)
I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih (Murni) (Indonesia)
Li Jiun-Yang (Taiwan)
John Pule (Niue / Aotearoa New Zealand)
Kaylene Whiskey (Yankunytjatjara, Australia)
Kirtika Kain (India / Australia)
Marie-Claire Messouma Manlanbien (France)
Ming Wong (Singapore / Germany)
Nádia Taquary (Brazil)
Nikau Hindin, Ebonie Fifita-Laufilitoga-Maka, Hina Puamohala Kneubuhl, Hinatea Colombani, Kesaia Biuvanua (Te Rarawa; Ngāpuhi, Aotearoa New Zealand; Fungamapitoa, Tonga, Aotearoa New Zealand; Kihalaupoe, Maui, Hawai‘i; ‘Arioi, Tahiti; Moce, Lau, Fiji)
Orquideas Barrileteras (Guatemala)
Özgür Kar (Turkey / Netherlands)
Pacific Sisters (Aotearoa New Zealand)
Pauletta Kerinauia (Miyartuwi (Pandanus), Tiwi Islands, Australia)
Sachiko Kazama (Japan)
Satch Hoyt (UK / Jamaica)
Segar Passi (Meriam Mir / Dauareb, Torres Strait Islands, Australia)
Serwah Attafuah (Ashanti, Australia)
Tracey Moffatt (Australia)
Trevor Yeung (China / Hong Kong)
Udeido Collective (West Papua)
VNS Matrix (Australia)
William Strutt (UK)
William Yang (Australia)
Yangamini (Tiwi; Gulumirrgin; Warlpiri; Kunwinjku; Yolŋu; Wardaman; Karajarri; Gurindji; Burarra, Australia)

The full 24th Biennale of Sydney program, including locations and full list of participating artists, will be announced later this year.

Key Dates
5 March 2024 - Media Preview
6-8 March 2024 – Vernissage (Professional Preview)
9 March – 10 June 2024 – Biennale of Sydney open to the public

Admission is free.

For further information on the Biennale of Sydney, please visit biennaleofsydney.art.