Unpacking the priorities for Sydney Modern’s unveiling

ArtsHub takes a preview of Sydney Modern ahead of its December opening, considering its whole-of-museum rethink.

It has been a thorny journey – but all that prickly-toned political bump-and-jar will fade from memory when visitors experience the new $344 million Sydney Modern, in just under 70-days.

Officially, the build is complete. Now it is time for the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ (AGNSW) team of curators, registrars, conservators and installers to occupy this light-filled 7,830 square meter building, which is nestled on a sandstone rockface and brilliantly cascades towards the harbour as a series of lofty pavilions.

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Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's National Visual Arts Editor. For a decade she worked as a freelance writer and curator across Southeast Asia and was previously the Regional Contributing Editor for Hong Kong based magazines Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. Prior to writing she worked as an arts manager in America and Australia for 14 years, including the regional gallery, biennale and commercial sectors. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW. Twitter: @ginafairley Instagram: fairleygina