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Julia Gutman

Lighting of the Sails Artist Talk

27 May 2024

In the Concert Hall Northern Foyers

Contemporary Music

Free event, registrations essential.

Join Archibald Prize winning artist Julia Gutman in conversation with Sydney Opera House’s Curator, Contemporary Art, Micheal Do to mark the opening of Julia Gutman’s Lighting of the Sails commission, Echo.

Truly in the hands of a new generation.

Art Guide Australia

Hear from acclaimed Australian visual artist Julia Gutman

Widely recognised as one of Australia’s most important rising artistic talents, artist Julia Gutman uses textiles to create original and tender compositions that challenge art history. 

In 2024, Julia Gutman received the Sydney Opera House’s prestigious annual Lighting of the Sails Commission, co-commissioned with Destination NSW for Vivid LIVE. 

Across seven minutes, Gutman’s new work, Echo reaches deep into literature and art history, remaking Roman poet Ovid’s myth of Narcissus for our contemporary age. By digitising centuries-old fabric making techniques, Gutman and creative animationist Pleasant Company have transformed humble textiles donated to the artist from her community into an animated epic.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Julia as she delves into her process for making this new work, Echo.    

Lighting of the Sails: Echo is commissioned by Sydney Opera House and Destination NSW for Vivid LIVE 2024.

Echo brings together my interests in narrative, materiality and the psychological in a story that I hope can be simultaneously personal and universal.

Julia Gutman

Watch Julia Gutman

Watch Julia Gutman on Lighting of the Sails: Echo

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