AFR: Art fair sales point to young artists on the rise

AFR: Art fair sales point to young artists on the rise

By Gabriella Coslovich

After a three-year hiatus, Sydney Contemporary made a triumphant return with almost 29,000 people streaming through Carriageworks over the five-day fair that ended on Sunday.

Sydney’s National Art School had the only stall at Sydney Contemporary featuring artists yet to be represented by a gallery. The school exhibited the work of eight recent graduates –Arash Chehelnabi, Susie Choi, Brydie Greedy, Charlie Komsic, Dylan Newling, TC Overson, Onrie Radovic and Greg Stanford – and the response was phenomenal. Each of the artists sold at least one work, with many selling multiple works. Susie Choi’s ceramic creations had sold out by the first afternoon of the fair, compelling her to bring in more work, which also sold out. On opening night, NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Arts and Regional Youth, Ben Franklin, bought Greg Stanford’s glowing abstract print, L-III, 2022, for the reasonable price of $600. The costs of these emerging artists’ works are accessible, but the quality is high, the result of three years (Bachelor of Fine Art) or five years (Master of Fine Art) study.

Image: Greg Stanford, L-III, 2022, sold for $600 at Sydney Contemporary 

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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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