Artists have eye on the tiger for new lunar designs

Local artists are being given the chance to unleash their imaginations for Sydney’s Lunar New Year celebrations as the city prepares to ring in the Year of the Tiger in 2022.

The City of Sydney will select up to six artists and creative agencies to showcase their work with Lunar New Year-themed installations and activations to be displayed in Chinatown and on city street banners.

The Sydney Lunar Festival will be held from 29 January to 13 February next year. Lord Mayor Clover Moore said it would be a wonderful opportunity for local artists to reach a new audience and help reinvigorate the city centre after the pandemic lockdown.

“We’re pushing ahead with plans for the 2022 Sydney Lunar Festival so that when we emerge from the Covid-19 lockdown, we’re ready to transform our streets into a colourful gallery with installations, activations and artworks welcoming the Year of the Tiger,” the Lord Mayor said.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us to give high profile work to artists, who can showcase their creations to a broad and diverse audience during the 2022 Sydney Lunar Festival celebrations.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted all businesses across Sydney, and the creative industry and artists have been hit particularly hard.

“Creating this work helps us support our artists and creatives, and will also help us attract visitors back into the city centre to support local businesses, cafes, restaurants and bars.”

The City of Sydney is inviting artists to present ideas for a scenic overlay to appear in Dixon Street Mall, Chinatown. The successful artist or creative will design an immersive experience using tree wraps, footpath decals and a bespoke Year of the Tiger lantern that will appear as part of the existing Chinatown lantern curtain.

The City will also appoint up to five artists or creatives to design an outdoor art gallery for Sydney Lunar Festival. The winning designs will feature in five outdoor banner galleries located in prominent areas within the city centre.

Concepts should be engaging, demonstrate artistic excellence and draw inspiration from one of the cultures that celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Artists are welcome to present concept designs for one or both parts of this call-out. The City of Sydney will work with the successful artists and manufacturers to help bring their concepts to life.

Applications are now open and close Monday 6 September 2021 at 11am Sydney time.

You can find out more about the EOI creative concepts and details on how to apply on our website.

For media enquiries or images, contact Belinda Wallis on 0467 810 160 or [email protected]

For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore contact Paul Mackay on 0436 816 604 or [email protected]