ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Sydney Airport partners with MCA Australia for contemporary art commission

institutional · 2026-05-05

A collaboration has been established between the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and Sydney Airport to create a significant artwork by an Australian artist for the T1 international terminal, which is expected to be unveiled in 2018. This artwork will be situated in the departures marketplace area, boasting ceilings that reach 17 meters in height. Kerrie Mather, CEO of Sydney Airport, noted that the partnership seeks to connect the airport with Sydney's dynamic culture while promoting local artists. Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, director of the MCA, highlighted that this commission will bridge contemporary Australian art with both local and global audiences. Annually, over 42 million travelers pass through Sydney Airport, with 15 million utilizing T1. This initiative aligns with similar art projects at airports around the globe, such as those at Milan Malpensa featuring artists like Matteo Pugliese and Fausto Melotti.

Key facts

  • Sydney Airport partners with Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
  • A large-scale artwork by an Australian artist will be commissioned.
  • The artwork will be installed in the T1 international terminal in 2018.
  • The installation site is the marketplace area in the departures zone.
  • The terminal has 17-meter-high ceilings.
  • Over 42 million people pass through Sydney Airport annually.
  • 15 million passengers use T1 each year.
  • Similar airport art projects exist at Milan Malpensa and other airports.

Entities

Artists

  • Matteo Pugliese
  • Fausto Melotti
  • Marino Marini
  • Gio Ponti
  • Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo
  • Helidon Xhixha
  • Carlo Bernardini

Institutions

  • Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
  • Sydney Airport
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Sydney
  • Australia
  • Milan
  • Italy
  • Malpensa

Sources