Sydney Contemporary is returning to Carriageworks for its 10th year, bringing together the largest gathering of leading contemporary art galleries from Australia, New Zealand, Asia and around the world.

Ahead of the fair opening on 3 September, ADR asks three creative women working across the Australian art and design industry to share their thoughts on Sydney Contemporary. Amy Henderson (AH) is the founder of The Artline and A&DR, Sarah Nedovic (SN) is a ceramic artist and lighting designer, and Georgina Jeffries (GJ) is an interior designer.

What are you most looking forward to at this year’s Sydney Contemporary?

AH: I am really looking forward to being immersed in an environment dedicated to contemporary art. Exploring the work of new and familiar artists, listening to and learning from others, and getting the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and meet new people. Attending the Art Fair also allows me to explore the city in different ways; surrounded by like-minded creative friends and in a state of curiosity and spontaneity. 

There are a few artists whose work I am particularly interested in, like Mia Khin Boe in an exhibition presented by Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, and a number of discussions I am looking forward to attending, to get me thinking. More than anything, I am looking forward to experiencing the fair alongside a group of women who endlessly inspire and challenge me, and who I know will bring a lot of good conversation and observation to our time at the fair. 

SN: I’m most looking forward to connecting and having conversations with artists about their work. I think hearing directly from the artist in the presence of their work is really powerful, and the Artist Booth Talks are a great way to engage on a personal level with the fair. 

GJ: Sydney Contemporary is such a wonderful event, not only for the opportunity to discover new artists, galleries and works, but also for the richness of its program from artists’ talks and conversations to private art collection visits and curated tours.

I’m particularly looking forward to experiencing it all alongside a group of creative friends who continually inspire me. There’s something very special about immersing yourself in art and ideas together, and then having the time and space to talk, exchange thoughts and be inspired by one another while in Sydney. For me, that is such an important part of the experience .

How do events like Sydney Contemporary shape or influence your practice?

AH: I look forward to events like Sydney Contemporary as a circuit breaker from the day-to-day, and as an opportunity to explore, connect and find inspiration in both people and their practice. I love to immerse myself in the world and work of others: their discipline, knowledge, creativity and vulnerability. Walking the floor, you come across work you weren’t looking for, have a conversation with an artist or gallerist that shifts how you see a piece entirely, or notice a thread running between practices that would never have crossed paths otherwise. It all shapes and influences my perspective, how I evolve and move forward, both personally and in how I approach my own work. 

SN: I find it incredibly inspiring to see artists pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Often, you see similar materials being used, yet the outcomes are completely different and unique to the artist. It reminds me that there is always scope to keep experimenting, developing and evolving creatively.

GJ: Events like Sydney Contemporary have a wonderful way of expanding and refreshing the way I think about my own practice. As an interior designer, I’m constantly looking for new ideas, perspectives, materials and ways of seeing. Discovering new artists and galleries is an important part of that process. 

The fair also creates a unique opportunity to connect with people across the creative community: artists, gallerists, collectors, designers and other like-minded creatives. Those conversations and encounters can often be just as inspiring as the work itself. Building genuine relationships and discovering new creative voices can lead to collaborations, new ideas and unexpected directions. Ultimately, I think these experiences keep my practice evolving. They allow me to step outside the immediate world of interiors and immerse myself in a broader creative landscape, returning to my work with fresh inspiration, new connections and a renewed sense of curiosity. 

Art fairs bring the art world and the public together, why do you think this is important in 2026?

AH: Art and its impact is meant for in-person interaction, and I think, now more than ever, we are seeking physical gatherings and human moments. I believe art fairs are having a renaissance. The shared, physical and social experience of a fair is itself part of what makes the art land. You feel it in the room, in the energy, in the people around you. 

Fairs also matter commercially right now. Supporting events like Sydney Contemporary sustains the galleries and artists behind them, at a time when that support counts. Beyond the art itself, it is also a rare chance to connect with people from all walks of life and industries across art and design, under one roof. Collectors, curators, first-time visitors – all on equal footing. That accessibility, that sense of a shared public moment, is exactly what makes these events matter.

SN: When so much of our experience is shaped by screens and algorithms, encountering art in person feels more important than ever. Art reflects the realities of our world, and the fair gives us a space to share different perspectives and meaningful connections. 

GJ: Art is such a powerful tool for connection. It has no prejudice and can bring people together across different backgrounds, cultures, generations and perspectives. It creates a shared space where we can be curious, open-minded and engage with ideas that may be very different from our own. I think that is incredibly important in 2026, when the world can often feel increasingly divided and disconnected. 

I love David Bowie’s thought ‘all art really does is keep you focused on questions of humanity’. That idea really resonates with me. At its heart, art is about people: our experiences, emotions, stories and the way we make sense of the world around us. It encourages us to look at something through another person’s eyes and, in doing so, it can create empathy and understanding. 

Art fairs are particularly important because they bring the art world out into the public realm. They create an environment where artists, galleries, collectors, designers and people who may simply be curious about art can all come together. You don’t need to be an expert or a collector to have a meaningful response to a work; art can connect with you emotionally, intellectually or simply through a feeling. 

For me, that openness is what makes events like this so valuable. They create opportunities for discovery and conversation, but also for people to share ideas and perspectives. In a time when genuine connection feels increasingly important, I think art gives us a wonderful reason to come together, slow down and engage with one another, and perhaps see the world a little differently as a result.

Sydney Contemporary runs from September 3 to September 6 at Carriageworks. To find out more or book tickets, visit the website.

Top image: L-R Georgina Jeffries, Sarah Nedovic, Amy Henderson. Photo: Supplied.