South Eveleigh will come alive this January as it takes part in Sydney Festival 2023. From 5 to 29 January, the precinct will house acclaimed Australian fashion designer and artist Jenny Kee’s larger than life installation The Aunties, host talks, tours and late-night feasting.
Celebrating creativity, culture and big ideas, Sydney Festival attracts Sydneysiders and tourists to the city and surrounding suburbs during the holiday month of January. This is the first time South Eveleigh has taken part in the festival.
Speaking about the hive of activity at South Eveleigh, Joanna Corrick, Mirvac National Portfolio Management said “We’re thrilled to be taking part in Sydney Festival in 2023 and hosting Jenny Kee’s The Aunties.
“A fantastic way to kick off the calendar year, we encourage locals and visitors to enjoy the precinct and take the opportunity to eat and drink at some of our fantastic retailers, explore our gardens and community spaces and tour the historical buildings and artifacts, art and footprint of the precinct”.
Located on Locomotive Street, Jenny Kee’s The Aunties is an outsized representation of Kee’s real aunties, Auntie Marge and Auntie Una, both highly skilled and successful sewers who supported, inspired and guided Kee to be the influential designer and artist she has become today. Standing tall in Innovation Plaza for the entirety of Sydney Festival, they present a bold new interpretation of Jenny Kee’s most iconic Uni-Oz Stripe artwork.
On January 19 from 10:30-12pm, Sydney Festival Director, Olivia Ansell will host an insightful conversation with Kee in Eveleigh Works – one of the world’s last working blacksmiths.
Ensuring visitors are well-fed and hydrated, local retailers will have specials and extended hours of trading. Those participating include Lucky Kwong, Re, Eat Fuh, Pepper Seeds Boutique Thai Bites and the new BrewDog South Eveleigh for their Festival Feasts. Exclusive $30 and $55 menus will be on offer, and Lucky Kwong will open on Thursday and Friday nights during SydFest for two evening sittings. The extended trading hours will mean diners can enjoy dinner followed by a show at the neighbouring Carriageworks or Seymour Center.
Along with Sydney Festival, South Eveleigh will also launch its Heritage Tours in January. The birthplace of Australia’s railway network, the tours include children’s programs, school group tours and informational tours about the history and development of the South Eveleigh site. The first children’s program will take place from January 21-26 and be facilitated for three hours per day, from 11am – 2pm. The workshop will be themed around Work Health & Safety and will include turning activity sheets into traditional newspaper hats, just as the workers used to do over 50 years ago. Aimed at children aged 8-12, the tours will be available for walk-ins, making them the perfect activity for families.
South Eveleigh sits on the fringe of the city, just a few minutes’ walk from Redfern station and walking distance from Sydney University and UTS. With Australia’s first Indigenous Community Rooftop Garden, public art that celebrates history and sense of place as well as multiple community spaces, there is something for everyone at South Eveleigh. Parking is available at 2 Central Avenue which is connected to the Locomotive Workshop via a unique subterranean walkway. An immersive vivid-style experience, the Foundry Tunnel celebrates the history of greater Eveleigh through creative digital content that tells the stories of the people and activities that have shaped the South Eveleigh landscape.
Tickets for Jenny Kee AO In conversation here.
Explore what’s on at South Eveleigh here.