SMH: Why are there 5798 ceramic fortune cookies at Rookwood Cemetery?

SMH: Why are there 5798 ceramic fortune cookies at Rookwood Cemetery?

By Lenny Ann Low

SMH has featured the 12th annual HIDDEN Rookwood Sculpture exhibition, with NAS alumni Mark Booth, Philippa Hagon, Hyun Hee Lee, Pamela Leung, Joanne Makas, Leisa Saige, Jayanto Tan, Whimbrel Wilson and current student Em Ingram-Shute all exhibiting their works.

Like art, historic Rookwood Cemetery can inspire people to slow down, contemplate life and consider the surrounding world.

With the return of Hidden, the cemetery’s annual art walk, the world within the largest cemetery in the southern hemisphere is enhanced by 55 sculptures, installations, photos and video works scattered between curving pathways, gracious pavilions and 100-year-old trees.

Exhibition curator Dr Kath Fries says Hidden, installed on a two-kilometre walk, aims to honour the cemetery, support artists’ expression and change perceptions of cemeteries as dark or intimidating places.

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Final call! This is your last chance to apply for our BFA degree for 2026.
 
Applications close 29 January.
 
Apply now 🔗 in bio.
Join us from 6–9pm on Thursday 22 January for the opening of SEARCHERS: Graffiti and Contemporary Art.

Featuring Ben Aitken, Howard Arkley, BAGL, BREAK, Andrew Browne, Daniel Crooks, Adam Cullen, Mikala Dwyer, Dale Frank, Shaun Gladwell, Brendan Huntley, Rhys John Kaye, Luke Kennedy, LAZY, Mim Libro, Fiona Lowry, Eddie Martin, MACH, Tony McGillick, Paul McNeil, TV Moore, Callum Morton, Tresor Murace, Sidney Nolan, POWER, Ben Quilty, Scott Redford, Reko Rennie, RUM, Leslie Rice, Joan Ross, Khaled Sabsabi, Tim Silver, SNAIL, SPICE, Bridget Stehli, Maya Stocks, Latai Taumoepeau & TAVEN

RSVP 🔗 in bio. 

Presented as part of @sydney_festival.

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Sidney Nolan, ‘Untitled’, 1983, spray can enamel on canvas, Nolan Collection, managed by Canberra Museum and Gallery on behalf of the Australian Government
Marking 20 years of the National Art School Gallery, we are thrilled to share this year's program of ambitious group and solo exhibitions that foster critical appreciation and innovative art practice.
 
SEARCHERS: Graffiti and Contemporary Art
17 January – 11 April
Opening: Thurs 22 January, 6pm
Bringing together over thirty of Australia's most dynamic artists united by one charged medium: spray paint, presented as part of @sydney_festival.
 
QUEER CONTEMPORARY 
Liz Bradshaw: I didn't expect to live this long
13 February – 7 March
Opening: Thurs 12 February, 6pm
Experience a large-scale sculpture and installation by NAS alum Liz Bradshaw as part of @sydneymardigras.
 
Mitch Cairns: Artist's Mouth
1 May – 11 July
Opening: Thurs 30 April, 6pm
Presented with the @instituteofmodernart, the largest and most comprehensive exhibition by Sydney-based artist and NAS alum Mitch Cairns.
 
Margaret Olley: Australian Intimiste
31 July – 25 October
Opening: Thurs 30 July, 6pm
Celebrating the legacy of NAS alum and one of Australia's most beloved painters, Margaret Olley AC.
 
The Postgrad Show 
6–15 November
 
The Grad Show
4–13 December

Full program 🔗 in bio.
 
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Howard Arkley, 'Triple fronted', 1987, synthetic polymer paint on canvas, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Mollie and Jim Gowing Bequest Fund 2014 © The Estate of Howard Arkley, courtesy Kalli Rolfe Contemporary Art, image © Art Gallery of New South Wales
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