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Getting away from Melbourne to enjoy art and food in Sydney

artists, spaces

19 September 2022

I haven't been on a plane since COVID 2019, so when a friend told me she was working at Sydney Contemporary (8 to 11 September), I thought it was an excellent opportunity to leave Melbourne for a few days.

I booked the quite hip Paramount House Hotel in Surry Hills and packed ever so lightly knowing that I did not want to wait hours for my luggage to arrive.

I was pleased to discover that A P House by All Purpose Bakery, offering delicate viennoiseries and good coffee, were now on the roof at Paramount House!

It feels like a lifetime ago since I have worked at an art fair or been a participant. My sister and her partner joined me at Carriageworks for the opening to wander through the crowds and the art on offer. As usual, there was a lot to take in and I must say I was a little underwhelmed.

Many sections, many galleries and poor curation of the stands. I felt that it is always best to have a solo exhibition of one artist so that a viewer can see the depth of their practise rather than just having a token work which leaves you wanting more.

Melbourne's Nicholas Thompson Gallery always presents a considered stand, this year exhibiting a solo presentation of artist Amber Wallis.

Some of the installations placed around the fair were quite enjoyable. The most joyful and tactile was by Kathy Temin, Mothering Garden, 2021 presented by Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery in Paddington. The synthetic fur sculpture/installation of a non-functional playground was inviting, comforting and cuddly to say the least.

And the highlight for me was the work of Austrian artist Daniel Domig presented by Chalk Horse Gallery in Sydney. I really enjoyed the use of colour, the transparency on the canvas, the fluid movement of paint and the abstract composition.

Dinner was at the lovely Alberto's Lounge in Surry Hills and lunch the next day, after a wonderful trip to White Rabbit Gallery, was at Lucky Kwong, which was fabulous!

Apart from the plane being delayed when leaving and returning to Melbourne, it was nice to get away.