Why the art adorning Sydney Opera House for Vivid this year is like no other in its history
This year’s Vivid LIVE centrepiece casts light on political history, which in some parts of the world feels all-too present and pertinent to ongoing struggles for equal rights.
‘Lighting of the Sails, Kiss Of Light’ featuring art by David McDiarmid for Vivid LIVE 2025 at Sydney Opera House. Photo: Daniel Boud, courtesy Vivid Sydney.
Not since 2009, when UK musician and visual artist Brian Eno was the first-ever artist invited by Vivid Sydney to light up the sails of Sydney Opera House, has this hugely popular after-dark event placed the spotlight so firmly on an individual whose work links artistic experimentation to political activism.
Following Eno’s 77 Million Paintings, presented 16 years ago, one might say Vivid’s curators have chosen artists for their signature light-art event whose work has been more about aesthetics and culture than activism and politics.
ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
