Leading Chinese contemporary artist Cao Fei brings the buzzing energy of the city to the Art Gallery of New South Wales for the artist’s first major solo exhibition in Australia, is a Sydney-exclusive exhibition staged as part of the Sydney International Art Series 2024–25, featuring key works from the artist’s 30-year career, including the premiere of two new commissions.
Voted by Art Review Magazine in 2023 as one of the art world’s 10 most influential people, Cao Fei has documented China’s rapid urbanisation, globalisation and digital revolution for more than two decades, interpreting the energy of the contemporary metropolis in mesmerising films, photography and large-scale interactive and immersive installations.
Spanning the Ainsworth Family Gallery’s 1300-square-metre space in the Art Gallery’s Naala Badu building, Cao’s exhibition explores China’s rapid urban, technological and social transformations from the Y2K period to today. Designed by the artist and Hong Kong’s Beau Architects, the exhibition takes the form of a cityscape. Divided into a series of civic zones – a central plaza, a theatre, a restaurant, a factory and a haven for spiritual contemplation – the exhibition’s design is inspired by China’s recent urban transformation.
DATE: Tuesday 18 March 2025
TIME: 12 noon to 2.00pm (approximately)
VENUE: Art Gallery NSW North Building Level: -2
ADDRESS: Art Gallery Rd, The Domain Sydney NSW 2000
MEETING PLACE: at New North Building: Level – 2 adjacent to entry to the exhibition
Time: 11.55am for a 12noon introductory talk.
PLEASE NOTE: Given the nature of the exhibition the Art Gallery do not conduct guided tours of this exhibition. We have therefore organised a twenty -minute introductory talk by an art gallery guide. We highly recommend prereading. We can provide suggested reading when we receive your RSVP.
This exhibition is challenging and different. We are sure it will evoke conversation. We invite you to join us for a late lunch in the Café (South Building) at 1.30pm for lively discussion and a bite to eat. Your entry ticket entitles you to return to the exhibition.
RSVP: Alison Ross Email: [email protected]
RSVP BY: 10 March 2025
PAYMENT OPTIONS: SELF PURCHASE at The Hub at North Building Art Gallery New South Wales or online https://tickets.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/events
Cost: $35.00 pp or $32.00 (Senior) Members discounts may apply.
TRANSPORT: Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia.
By Car: Limited metered street parking; Pay Parking: Domain Parking Station offers $6 off your parking after the first hour when your parking ticket is stamped at The Gallery’s Information Desk.
By Bus: Bus 441: This bus departs from the York Street side of the Queen Victoria Building (Stand D) and drops off near the Art Gallery. It returns to the Queen Victoria Building, picking up outside the Art Gallery. For timetable information, you can check the Transport NSW website or contact the Transport Infoline on 131 500.
By Train: The closest train stations are St James and Martin Place, both about 10-minute walk to the Gallery.
