Latest news
Biennale of Sydney Awarded Australian Event of the year
A judging panel of event industry experts, co-chaired by Johnny Allen and Sandy Hollway, has unanimously awarded Australian Event of the Year to the 16th Biennale of Sydney: Revolutions - Forms That Turn.
Announced at the 2009 Australian Event Awards in Sydney on the 8th October, the Biennale of Sydney was also awarded Best Cultural or Arts Event. The 16th Biennale exhibition, under the artistic direction of Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, was recognised by the judges as the most innovative event in Australia for last year, demonstrating an outstanding example of best practice in the events industry.
The 2008 Biennale ran between June and September and included Cockatoo Island as a new venue. During the 12 weeks 86,000 people visited Cockatoo Island. In an interview with the Australian, Sydney Biennale chief executive, Marah Braye, credited Cockatoo Island with playing an important role in driving up the numbers of first-time Biennale visitors. Many visitors were "as interested in seeing the island as they are in seeing the art" said Ms Braye, "but once they get there and see the art, they want to see more, so they start visiting other Biennale venues."
Artist in Residence Program on Cockatoo Island
The Harbour Trust has introduced a trial artists' residency program on Cockatoo Island. The trial program is for twelve months and is fully subscribed. At the conclusion of the trial program an exhibition of the work produced by the artists will be shown and a review of the program will be undertaken by the Trust. Any further information on the program will be placed on this website including the future of the program following the review. Please note that the Trust does not have studio space available for artists' use other than that allocated for the trial program.
William Kentridge artwork returns to Cockatoo
27 June 2009 - 21 March 2010
One of the stand-out and most popular artworks of the Sydney Biennale 2008 has been re-installed on Cockatoo Island and is now open, free to the public.
A series of video projections that fill an entire room, William Kentridge's I am not me, the horse is not mine (2008), will be on exhibition from 27 June through to 21 March 2010.
Kentridge is one of the most highly regarded artists of his generation. Born in South Africa, Kentridge's art explores the nature of emotions and memory, as well as the relationship between desire, ethics and responsibility. Kentridge looks at the possibilities of poetry in contemporary society, while at the same time providing a satirical commentary.
I am not me, the horse is not mine is a multi-channel projected work based on The Nose (1837) by Nikolai Gogol. The work is part of Kentridge's ongoing interest in the beginnings and development of modernism.
I am not me, the horse is not mine at Cockatoo Island is proudly supported by:
the Anita & Luca Belgiorno-Nettis Foundation and the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
When: 27 June 2009 - 21 March 2010
Open: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am - 4pm
Entry: free
Transport: See Sydney Ferries website for services to Cockatoo.
A Ringing Glass (Rilke)
A major exhibition by Ken Unsworth,
until 2 August 2009
Ken Unsworth, one of Australia's pre-eminent contemporary artists, is exhibiting a major new project on Cockatoo Island, A Ringing Glass (Rilke), in honour of his wife Elisabeth.
Cockatoo Island's grand industrial Turbine Shed hosts the exhibition, a series of extraordinary kinetic and multimedia installations set inside architectural rooms specially constructed for the occasion, including an exquisite ballroom.
This exhibition is one of Ken Unsworth's most ambitious projects and one of the largest and most unusual works attempted by a single artist in Sydney. Some of his recognisable motifs such as pianos and suspended objects are used in the artworks which have been created specifically for the Cockatoo Island site. Invited guests at the opening event on May 28 became the final real-life element in the project as they danced, viewed and moved through the spaces. Footage of this special tribute to Elisabeth is being screened as part of the exhibition.
The exhibition title is a phrase from early 20th century Prague-born poet Rainer Maria Rilke's Sonnets to Orpheus.
When: until 4pm, Sunday 2nd August
Open: daily 10am - 4pm
Cost: free
Where: Turbine Shed on the lower island. Entry via the Dog Leg Tunnel (follow signs after alighting from ferry)
Transport: See Sydney Ferries website for services to Cockatoo
Further information
Media Release - Ken Unsworth [PDF - 53 KB]
All Tomorrow's Parties
The sandstone workshops and industrial spaces of Cockatoo hosted over 12,000 music fans over the weekend for a Sydney Festival event curated by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
Over two days Cockatoo Island was transformed into a musical site like no other. Large stages on the lower island saw an eclectic line up including Bridezilla, Spiritualized, The Saints, Afrirampo, James Blood Ulmer, Psarandonis, Robert Foster and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
All Tomorrow's Parties is a unique music festival and was conceived as a counterpoint to large commercial events. The name comes from The Velvet Underground song. A boutique event, All Tomorrow's Parties is curated by bands or artists and performed in unusual settings.
For reviews and news on All Tomorrow's Parties see:
What the hell! A Big Day out for Grown-ups by Bernald Zuel, Sydney Morning Herald, 19 January 2009
The Mother of all Retro Parties by Kathy McCabe, The Daily Telegraph, 18 January 2009
All Tomorrow's Parties A Hit on Cockatoo Island, The Daily Telegraph, 19 January 2009
"Fanfares, parties and stars" on Articulate, ABC News, 19 January 2009
Now available for holiday lets - two historic houses on Cockatoo Island
These two charming Federation-era houses were residences for the families of the island's key dockyard staff for most of the last century. They have been beautifully and sympathetically restored, and fitted out with all modern conveniences. Each four bedroom house is now available for short-term letting, perfect as a peaceful and atmospheric retreat from city life and just a quick hop from Circular Quay. Perched on the island's upper plateau in a leafy part of the island, they are surrounded by restored heritage gardens and have stunning views of the harbour at sunrise and sunset.
The houses are available for letting immediately (excluding 12-22 January) and can be booked by phoning the Cockatoo Island Campground on (02) 8898 9774.
Biennale of Sydney at Cockatoo wins SMAC Award
By popular choice the Biennale of Sydney at Cockatoo Island has won the Remix the City Award at this year's Sydney Music, Arts and Culture (SMAC) Awards presented by FBI Radio and Time Out Sydney. Fifty thousand online voters chose their favorite artists, musos, venues, promoters, gigs and creators and voted Cockatoo Island number one for "getting creative in Sydney's outdoor spaces".
Sydney's convict island is becoming a cultural mecca. With its sandstone gaol and grand industrial spaces, Cockatoo is redefining itself as one of Sydney's newest cultural venues. Next month it will host the All Tomorrow's Parties event, curated by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds.
Check out all the SMAC Award winners on the Time Out website
Biennale of Sydney 2008
The 16th Biennale of Sydney broke all attendance records. 86, 843 people visited Cockatoo Island to experience the work of 35 Australian and International contemporary artists. The artworks were displayed across the island in the historic industrial workshops and convict built buildings.
The successful marriage between the rawness of the found spaces, and the imaginative works, created a compelling reason for Sydneysiders & visitors to our city to discover the island, and has established the island as a home for other exciting cultural events.
Find out more about the 2008 Biennale of Sydney
What Is An Aborigine, 2008 by Vernon Ah Kee
Installation of 12 paintings at Cockatoo Island
For the 16th Biennale of Sydney 2008
Courtesy the artist and Milani Gallery, Brisbane
Photograph: Jenni Carte
Minister launches unique Sydney Harbour Campground
Environment Minister Peter Garrett has officially opened the exciting new campground on Cockatoo Island. Mr Garrett visited the island to launch the latest venture by the Harbour Trust to breathe new life into the island.
Prices for the campsite start at just $45 per site per night and we are now taking bookings.
Kayak to Cockatoo
You can now make your own way to Cockatoo island by kayak. Paddlers can land on the island at the slipways on the western end of the island, near the campground. Kayaks can be left at the slipway - please remember that items are left at the owner's risk so take any valuables with you. No motorised vessels are permitted in this location. Be careful not to land at other locations on the island, as kayaks cannot be brought onto grassed areas as the saltwater runoff can harm the vegetation.
Cockatoo's Historic Cannon
An 18th century cannon, like those used during the Napoleonic War, is now a surprising sentry on the shores of Cockatoo Island. This historic cannon has just been preserved by the Heritage Conservation Team and placed near the Muster Station, the gateway to the island.
No one knows how the cannon first came to Sydney. It may have been one of the cannons placed around Sydney Harbour to defend the settlement from attack by sea. Or it may have arrived as ballast in a sailing ship. However, once obsolete it was used as one of 15 bollards around Fitzroy Dock on Cockatoo Island.
The cannon was cast in 1797 by Walker & Co in Birmingham. It is an Admiralty cannon, a 12-pounder. This type of cannon was used on HMS Victory during the Napoleonic War.
In the 1970s the cannon was removed from Fitzroy Dock and restored. It was officially unveiled by the chairman of Vickers and placed in its current position on 22 March 1976. Apprentices working on the island built the carriage on which the cannon rested.
After years of neglect, the cannon was falling into disrepair until saved by volunteers from the Heritage Conservation Team. Working with materials conservator, Dave McBeath, the team have partly conserved and partly rebuilt the original carriage and conserved the cannon.
Congratulations to our Heritage Conservation volunteers on another great project and for their work in saving another piece of Cockatoo Island's history. Well done!
Historic crane restored
One of Cockatoo Island's signature heritage cranes has been restored to its former glory by a group of volunteers. The gantry crane has been reinstated to its original location in the convict-built workshop. Known as the 'Apprentices Crane', it is thought that it was originally built on the island.
The volunteers worked with materials conservator, Dave McBeath, to conserve the crane which had deteriorated due to the harsh maritime environment. The team included former shipwrights, engineers and tradesmen, some of whom had worked on the island when it was Australia's largest shipyard.
The next challenge for the volunteer team will be the reinstatement of the 74-foot flagstaff that once stood on top of the island. It was used to hoist flags to alert everyone that workers were being hired.
Other exciting projects coming up include repair of a working lathe and conservation of the wooden tender Sydney.
We are keen to find people with specialist skills who would like to join the Volunteer Conservation Heritage Team. For further information email the Public Programs Coordinator on volunteers@harbourtrust.gov.au or call (02) 8969 2100.
