It’s been a long time since Darlinghurst was not-so-fondly referred to as Razorhurst, named for the crime gangs that roamed the streets with razor blades. These days it’s a lively neighbourhood packed with cafés, bars, restaurants, and a hub of contemporary art and design galleries.
If you’re walking around the area, be sure to check out some of the galleries and creative spaces:
Australian Design Centre
Australian Design Centre (ADC) displays contemporary craft and design, and works closely with Australian craftspeople and designers to promote the community and creativity.
ADC is currently exhibiting WORKSHOPPED20: Celebrating 20 Years of Design. The 20th-anniversary exhibition celebrates the very best in furniture, lighting and objects by emerging and established Australian designers. Over the last two decades, the exhibition has been a kick-starter for new talent, including Alex Gilmour who has three pieces displayed in the ADC window.
WORKSHOPPED20 is on until 30 September 2020.
From 9 to 18 October, ADC will host the annual Sydney Craft Week with events, exhibitions and workshops around the city. This year’s theme is ‘Change Makers,’ and ADC will have exhibitions and a Makers Market with jewellery, ceramics, textiles, fashion and homewares made by local craftspeople.
Makers Market is on 17 October 2020.
Every year, 20 or so galleries across Darlinghurst, East Sydney, Woolloomooloo and Kings Cross come together for the Sydney East Art Walk. While the official event is hosted only a few times a year, the self-guided walk can be undertaken anytime.
Some of the galleries to hit include:
- Chalk Horse, for a range of work by Australian and international contemporary artists
- APY Gallery, for work by emerging Indigenous artists
- Disorder Gallery, for paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, installations, poets, writers, music and performers
- King Street Gallery, for work by prominent, established Australian artists
- Stanley Street Gallery, for painting, photography, sculpture, wearable art, ceramics, video and performance.
Get involved
Walk up Crown Street and you’ll find the Australian Centre for Photography, dedicated to the art of photography and lens-based media. They have regular exhibitions as well as photography classes and workshops.
And if you want to produce your own painted masterpiece, Cork & Canvas is a fun night with wine, bubbles and beer fuelling your creative juices.
Darlinghurst and the surrounding area have a lot more to offer in the way of art and design. Explore the streets and you don’t know what you might come across.
