Skip to main content

Draw the House with Zanny Begg and Catherine O'Donnell

30 July, 27 August, 24 September, 29 October, 26 November 2023

Create a range of drawings inspired by one of the world's most iconic buildings.

Once a month join like-minded creative souls to explore the Opera House and its surroundings through the eyes of an artist. Working with a different artist each month, explore various drawing techniques, and perspectives inspired by one of the world's most iconic buildings.

Drawing is a way of coming upon the connection between things; just like metaphor in poetry reconnects what has become separated.

John Berger - Art Critic, Novelist, Painter & Poet

Slow down, observe...

You will also learn from an expert Tour Guide about the influence of visual arts in the Opera House's history, including the beautiful tapestries that grace our venues and foyer spaces.

Drawing is practical as an architectural and engineering blueprint, but it is also a tool for creative expression and making meaning, visually documenting what we see or imagine on paper, for others to view, interpret and enjoy.

From the very beginning, drawings have played a significant role in the Opera House’s history – a global architectural competition saw entries from all over the world, where a relatively unknown Danish architect, Jorn Utzon, became the winner of a new National Opera House for Sydney. Utzon’s original and somewhat controversial design was an imaginative sculptural response that the judges were convinced would be ‘capable of becoming one of the great buildings of the world’.

Presented by Sydney Opera House

 

Zanny Begg 30 July & 27 August

Zanny Begg is a video installation artist who works across drawing, film, social and spatial practice to explore questions of feminism, migration, and ecological and intergenerational responsibility. Often creating intricate worlds through drawing costumes and backdrops, Zanny is interested in the loops and twists of time that reveal previously submerged or hidden histories.

Catherine O'Donnell 24 September, 29 October & 26 November

Catherine O'Donnell’s art practice focuses on the urban landscape, representing the commonly overlooked dwellings of Sydney suburbia in an abstracted form. She holds a MFA (Drawing) from NAS and a BFA (Distinction and Deans Medal) from UWS. She exhibits widely and is represented in both public and private collections. Exhibition highlights including Dobell Australian Drawing Biennale, the Dobell Prize for Drawing; the Kedumba Drawing Award; the Trinity Buoys Wharfs drawing Prize, the Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing and JADA. With works represented in many collections including the AGNSW, Parliament House Art Collection, Artbank, National Art School, Korean Art Foundation, MAMA and the Kedumba Collection of Australian Drawings. 

Artist residencies and grants have taken O’Donnell across Australia and Internationally. Highlights include the British Scool at Rome, Cité des Arts, Paris, Scuola International di Grafica, Venice, Bundanon, Grafton Regional Gallery, Bilpin international ground for creative initiatives and Parramatta Artist Studios.

She has received numerous awards and commendations, with exhibition highlights including Dobell Australian Drawing Biennale, the Dobell Prize for Drawing; the Kedumba Drawing Award; the Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing and JADA.  Her works are represented in private and public collections both nationally and internationally, including AGNSW, Parliament House Art Collection, Artbank, Penrith Regional Gallery, MAMA, National Art School, Korean Art Foundation, Grafton Regional Gallery, Grace Cossington Smith Colllection, Blacktown City Art Collection, and the Kedumba Collection of Australian Drawings.  She is currently represented by Dominik Mersch Gallery, SYD

Other information

You may also like

A hand drawn picture of the Sydney Opera House on a clipboard
27 Aug - 26 Nov 2023 Experiences

Draw the House

Join like-minded creative souls to explore the Opera House through an artist’s eyes in our free monthly walking and drawing tours.

23 Oct - 20 Nov 2023 Workshops

Public Choir - Big Heart Sing

On the last Monday evening every month, join our Big Heart Sing Choir – a joyous celebration of the simple power of communal song.

An old man and a woman dancing together.
25 Aug - 3 Nov 2023 Workshops

Spring for Seniors

Join our monthly Dance Theatre session for the ageless, welcoming Seniors aged 55+ for an inspiring and social creative workshop inspired by the great tradition of Dance Theatre.

Checking availability