Art After Hours: Dreams

What do you dream about? In this special Art After Hours series for Vivid Sydney, we will explore how to access the subconscious, look at how the seeds of dreams are planted and play with the blurry line between dreams and reality. Inspired by socially engaged practice across food, ideas and music, the series will feature leading chefs, art-making workshops and performances.

Art After Hours: Dreams is presented in partnership with Art Gallery of NSW and takes place in conjunction with the 2025 Archibald Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, an annual exhibition that provides a snapshot of people who have captured our imaginations.

Art After Hours: Dreams events

See full details of all the events below.

Performance: Dreams from Afghanistan

By Dorr-e Dari

When one individual's reality serves as a dream for another...

Prepare to be moved by Dorr-e Dari, a collective of artists from Afghanistan, dedicated to sharing their culture through song, storytelling and poetry. In this special performance, the collective has assembled a series of stories and songs to highlight the significance of artistic expression in shaping their dreams and identity.

Dorr-e Dari features Jawad Yaqoubi, Kobra Sayyadi, Mahdi Mohammadi and Zeynab Noori, who are accompanied by musicians Abbas Neshat (dambura), Mahya Panahi (tanbur) and Ali Omed (tabla).

Wednesday 28 May 2025 and 4 June 2025 
5pm-6pm
Kaldor Hall, Naala Nura building, Ground level
Free, no bookings required 

Panel discussion: Maintaining connection to Country

With Sharon Winsor, Frances Rings and Darrell Sibosado

Listen to a panel discussion with Sharon Winsor, founder of Indigiearth, Frances Rings, artistic director and co-CEO of Bangarra Dance Theatre, and artist Darrell Sibosado. This thought-provoking talk will explore meaningful ways to connect to Country in contemporary times.

Through the lens of ‘dream’, this discussion will delve into how cultural collaborations can transcend boundaries – building vibrant, living connections that unite diverse communities and celebrate shared stories. This discussion will delve into how cultural collaborations can transcend boundaries - building vibrant, living connections that unite diverse communities, celebrate shared stories, and harness the power of dreams.

An Act of Being created by Bangarra Dance Theatre in collaboration with Reconciliation Australia, marks the 25th anniversary of the People’s Walk for Reconciliation across the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be shown at Barangaroo Reserve from 23 May to 14 June as part of Vivid Sydney 2025

This conversation will be followed by a serving of tasters from Sharon Winsor’s Indigiearth range of native foods. 

Wednesday 28 May 2025 | 6pm-7pm
Kaldor Hall, Naala Nura building, Ground level
Free, no bookings required 

Workshop: Dream interpretations

With Martina Kocian

Be one of a few lucky participants to enjoy a private one-on-one session with dream interpreter Martina Kocian from The Dream Garden. Kocian’s therapeutic approach to dreamwork expands awareness through embodiment and presence to create a shift in being. In these private sessions, Kocian will examine each participant’s dreams and identify their common themes.

Wednesday 28 May, 4 and 11 June 2025
6pm, bookings from 5-5.30pm
Duration 10 minutes each session
Centenary Auditorium, Naala Nura building, Lower level 1
Free, bookings required. 

This workshop is extremely limited. Bookings will open at 5pm on the day in the Kaldor Hall and close by 5.30pm. Names will be picked from a hat at 6pm and time slots allotted.

Talk: Dream interpretations

With Martina Kocian

Have you ever wondered what your dreams mean? Do your dreams make you anxious or happy? In this talk, dream interpreter Martina Kocian from The Dream Garden will discuss how to interpret your dreams and identify their common themes. She will also explore emotional connections to dreams, and the share the benefits of using embodiment in dreamwork to experience your dreams more deeply.

Wednesday 28 May, 4 and 11 June 2025 | 8pm-8.45pm
Kaldor Hall, Naala Nura building, Ground level
Free, no bookings required

Workshop: True love

With Meagan Pelham and Studio A

Join artist Meagan Pelham for a free drop-in workshop exploring dreams and wishes. Pelham is a 2025 Archibald finalist with her portrait of DJ Charlie Villas and the jewellery designer Nikita Majajas, both married, which is embellished with glitter and nail polish. Pelham is the ultimate romantic, someone who creates and lives by a philosophy of true love. Her artworks invite viewers to see the world through rose-coloured glasses and to embrace the moments of beauty that surround us. Meet Pelham and experiment in this fun and creative workshop inspired by her work.

All materials provided and no experience necessary.
Wednesday 28 May, 4 and 11 June 2025 | 5.30pm-7.30pm
Lower Level 2, Naala Nura building
Free, no bookings required

Demonstration: Plate It Forward

With Tony Sua

Feast your eyes on chef and performance artist Tony Sua, a former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant and a proud member of Plate It Forward’s hospitality family. In this event, he will demonstrate how to prepare Kyiv dumplings and kingfish ceviche – no heat, just heart.

With a deep connection to his Pacific Islander roots, Sua advocates the importance of heritage, identity and community through his work, often collaborating with organisations that promote inclusivity and creativity.

Wednesday 4 June 2025 | 6.20pm-6.50pm
Kaldor Hall, Naala Nura building, Ground level
Free, no bookings required

Performance: Plate It Forward

With Hani Abdile

Hear a special performance by acclaimed poet Hani Abdile, who will deliver a powerful spoken-word performance exploring food, migration and purpose.

Abdile is a Somalian-born slam poet, spoken-word artist, and cultural activist whose words resonate with raw emotion and social consciousness. Hani uses her art to advocate for social justice and empowerment, particularly within migrant and refugee communities.

Wednesday 4 June 2025 | 6.50pm-7.10pm
Kaldor Hall, Naala Nura building, Ground level
Free, no bookings required

Panel discussion: Our journey to Plate It Forward

With Karyna Sanzhar, Roya Moeen and Shaun Christie-David

Settle in for a candid conversation between Plate It Forward members Karyna Sanzhar (front-of-house) and Roya Moeen (group chef), moderated by Plate It Forward’s CEO Shaun Christie-David. In this conversation, Karyna and Roya will explore their personal journeys leading up to joining the Sydney-based social enterprise Plate It Forward, including the challenges and meaningful experiences they have had along the way.

Plate it Forward is hosting Dreams on a Plate which showcases the culinary talents of migrant and refugee women, with dishes and stories prepared and served with love from each of the chef's homelands as part of Vivid Sydney 2025.

Wednesday 4 June 2025 | 7.10pm-7.55pm
Kaldor Hall, Naala Nura building, Ground level
Free, no bookings required

Demonstration: FoodLab Sydney

With Racha Abou Alchamat

Racha Abou Alchamat, FoodLab chef and founder of Racha’s Syrian Kitchen, will demonstrate how to create halawet el jibn (a Syrian dessert made from cheese and semolina). She will also discuss her involvement with the not-for-profit kitchen incubator FoodLab, which has supported her aspirations and career.

This demonstration will be followed by a serving of tasters from the Racha’s Syrian Kitchen menu.

Wednesday 11 June 2025 | 6pm-6.30pm
Kaldor Hall, Naala Nura building, Ground level
Free, no bookings required

Performance: Stories of hope

With Michael Kharrat

Hear a special performance by classical violinist Michael Kharrat, who will perform works that speak to Syrian stories of hope. Kharrat has studied at the Syrian and Lebanese conservatories of music, as well as the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Wednesday 11 June 2025 | 6.45pm-7pm
Kaldor Hall, Naala Nura building, Ground level
Free, no bookings required

Panel discussion: The ecology of hospitality

With Joanna Savill, Racha Abou Alchamat, Jamie Loveday

How do you break into the hospitality industry when you have significant barriers? In this panel discussion, chefs will share the dreams that led them to make their way in hospitality. They will also discuss how organisations like FoodLab Sydney can help create a vibrant, local and inclusive food system. Hosted by food journalist Joanna Savill, with chef Racha Abou Alchamat and managing director of FoodLab Sydney, Jamie Loveday. 

FoodLab Sydney is hosting a series of unique dining events that spotlight the flavours, stories and dreams of emerging chefs from migrant and refugee backgrounds during Vivid Sydney 2025.

Wednesday 11 June 2025 | 7.15pm-8pm
Kaldor Hall, Naala Nura building, Ground level
Free, no bookings required

Performance: Magic from many lands

By Forked Tongues Storytelling Collective

Experience the magic of multilingual storytelling by Forked Tongues Storytelling Collective.

Inspired by the significance of dreams in their respective cultures, storytellers from the collective have assembled a heartfelt evening of folk tales, lore and personal stories in both their home languages and English.

Forked Tongues Storytelling Collective is supported by Think+DO Tank Foundation and bilingual storyteller Lillian Rodrigues-Pang, as a workshop facilitator.

Wednesday 11 June 2025 | 5pm-6pm
Naala Nura building, Lower level 3, Library, archive and children’s art library,Ground level
Free, no bookings required