Political Storm Hits 19th Sydney Biennale as Artists Protest Sponsor

The 19th Biennale of Sydney, scheduled from March 21 to June 9, 2014, encountered political strife prior to its commencement. A petition from 28 artists against main sponsor Transfield's connections to offshore detention facilities resulted in nine artists withdrawing. Director Luca Belgiorno-Nettis stepped down, while curator Juliana Engberg briefly acknowledged the intersection of art and politics. The theme "Imagine What You Desire" was intended to provoke political engagement, but only a few local artists, including Bindi Cole, Michael Cole, and Yhonnie Scarce, produced politically charged works. Among the notable installations were Callum Morton's "The Other Side," Jim Lambie's "Zobop," and Pipilotti Rist's "Mercy Garden Retour Skin." Many criticized the overall quality, deeming the biennale less impactful and politically charged than its 2008 predecessor.