Coming to a park near you

Sydney in spring is far too beautiful a place to waste time indoors, even in the name of art. So the City of Sydney has ripped the art off the gallery walls and placed it on the street in the name of Art and About.

As is tradition, the festival will be heralded in with the Sydney Life photography exhibition, which will line the walkways of Hyde Park to brighten the days of the busy nine to fivers.

A record 830 images were submitted to the competition this year, giving judges a plethora to choose from and ensuring that Sydneysiders are privy to only the finest works on offer.

Curator of the event Sandy Edwards says it was no easy decision.

Sydney Life really captures the diversity, drama, humour, culture and vibrancy of our city through photography, she said.

The high quality of entries this year meant the judging panel had a very difficult job selecting the 22 finalists.

Capturing Sydney in all its multifaceted glory, 22 artists have recorded the most intimate moments of local life. From Cassandra French’s shot of her 12-year-old daughter baking cookies, to Jasmine Poole’s curious self-portrait in a dishevelled backyard, and Tamara Dean’s poignant shot of mothers entertaining their children -” this exhibition turns the minutiae of our city’s life into exquisite art.

Sydney Life will hit the park on 4 October and will run until 26 October when a final winner will be chosen, to go into the running for the final Art and About prize of $10,000.

info: For more information about Sydney Life or the range of other events on during Art and About head to www.artandabout.com.au.