17th Biennale of Sydney
  • Daniel Crooks, Static No.12 (seek stillness in movement), 2009–10 Detail of HD video (RED transferred to Blu-ray), dimensions variable. Courtesy the artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery. Copyright © Daniel Crooks 2009
  • Kutlug Ataman, Mesopotamian Dramaturgies / Journey to the Moon, 2009 (detail), still photography, 31 x 41 cm. Courtesy of Francesca Minini, Milan and the artist
  • Lara Baladi, Perfumes & Bazaar, The Garden of Allah, 2006 (detail), digital collage, 560 x 248 cm, technical production and printing, Factum Arte, Madrid. Courtesy the artist. Copyright Lara Baladi
  • Kataryzana Kozyra, Summertale, 2008 (detail), DVD production still, 20 mins, prod. Zacheta National Gallery of Art Copyright artist, courtesy ZAK I BRANICKA Gallery. Photograph: M. Olivia Soto
  • Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook, Manet’s Dejeuner sur I’herbe 1862 1863 and the Thai villagers group II, 2008-09 (detail), from ‘The Two Planets Series’, photograph and video, 110 x 100 cm; 16 mins. Courtesy the artist and 100 Tonson Gallery, Bangkok
  • Cai Guo-Qiang, Inopportune: Stage One, 2004 (detail), nine cars and sequenced multichannel light tubes, dimensions variable. Collection of Seattle Art Museum, Gift of Robert M. Arnold, in honour of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum, 2006, installation view at MASS MoCA, North Adams, 2004. Courtesy Cai Studio. Photograph: Hiro Ihara
  • Kent Monkman, The Death of Adonis, 2009 (detail), acrylic on canvas, 182.9 x 304.8 cm. Courtesy the artist and TrépanierBaer Gallery, Calgary
  • Christopher Pease, Law of Reflection, 2008–09 (detail), oil on canvas, 123 x 214 cm. Private collection. Courtesy the artist and Goddard de Fiddes, Contemporary Art, Perth. Photograph: Tony Nathan
  • AES+F, The Feast of Trimalchio, 2009 (detail of video still), nine-channel video installation, 19 mins. Courtesy the artists; Triumph Gallery, Moscow; and Multimedia Art Museum, Moscow
  • Tsang Kin-Wah, The First Seal – It Would Be Better If You Have Never Been Born…, 2009, digital video projection and sound installation, 6:41 mins, 513 x 513 cm. Courtesy the artist
  • Wang Qingsong, Competition, 2004 (detail), c-print, 170 x 300 cm. Courtesy the artist
  • Mark Wallinger, Hymn, 1997 (detail of video still), video, sound, 4:52 mins, edition of 10 and 1 artist proof. Courtesy Anthony Reynolds Gallery, London
Venues > Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island


Cockatoo Island

A major venue of the Biennale of Sydney since 2008 Cockatoo Island hosts 120 works by 56 artists Just 20 minutes by free ferry from Circular Quay.

This year 56 Biennale artists take over Cockatoo Island – the largest island in Sydney Harbour and Australia’s most unusual urban park. A former prison and shipyard, it retains many remnants from its past. Its convict-built prison buildings have been nominated for World Heritage listing.

Spend a few hours or a day exploring the exhibition at this wonderful  location – bring a picnic or visit the island’s cafés.

The Biennale of Sydney also provides free daily tours of Cockatoo Island, departing from the Education Hub under the ‘Meeting Point’ sign at 11.30am and 1.30pm weekdays, and 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm weekends.

Cockatoo Island is a former industrial site and hazards such as uneven surfaces and hazardous voids do exist. A number of buildings are darkened and require extra vigilance and a number of buildings will not be accessible by wheelchair. The ferry to Cockatoo Island is not accessible by wheelchair from the Commissioner’s Steps departure point. Visitors using a wheelchair must board at the Pier 2/3 departure point.

Cockatoo Island , Sydney Harbour
Access by free ferry from Commissioner’s Steps, Circular quay (outside MCA) and Pier 2/3 see free ferry timetable for more information

Open daily 10 am – 5 pm

For the comfort and safety of everyone on the island, please follow the Island Etiquette:

  • no alcohol to be brought onto the island
  • no portable BBQs or lighting of fires
  • no smoking in buildings
  • do not bring animals onto the island (except guide dogs)
  • do not enter construction areas

Address: Cockatoo Island Sydney, New South Wales
Hours: 10 am - 5 pm
Phone: (02) 8969 2100
Website: www.cockatooisland.gov.au


Transport Information:

A free ferry service leaves hourly every weekday and every half hour on weekends, starting from 10 am from the Commissoner’s Steps outside the Museum of Contemporary Art. This shuttle service will return to Circular Quay from the island via Pier 2/3, Walsh Bay. Last departure: 5.30 pm.

See the free ferry timetable for more information.


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