The Rocks

The Salon des Refuses was initiated by the S.H. Ervin Gallery in 1992 in response to the large number of works entered into the Archibald Prize which were not selected for display in the official exhibition. The Archibald Prize is one of Australia's most high profile and respected awards which attracts hundreds of entries each year and the S.H. Ervin Gallery's 'alternative' selection has become a much-anticipated feature of the Sydney scene.Each year our panel is invited to go behind the scenes of the judging process for the annual Archibald Prize for portraiture and Wynne Prize for landscape painting and figure sculpture at the Art Gallery of New South Wales- to select an exhibition from the many hundreds of works entered in both prizes but not chosen for the official award exhibition.The Salon des Refuses exhibition at the S.H. Ervin Gallery has established an excellent reputation that rivals the selections in the 'official' exhibition- with works selected for quality- diversity- humour and experimentation- and which examine contemporary art practices- different approaches to portraiture and responses to the landscape.Visitors can vote in the Holding Redlich People's Choice Award.Covid-Safe informationWe are registered as a Covid Safe business and have new safety measures.All visitors are required to sign in on arrival if they do not have pre-booked tickets. On arrival- visitors must sign in using the QR code provided and on completion show staff confirmation that will be displayed at the end of the check in process. Visitors without a smartphone can sign in at the Front Desk.What are we doing to make our venue safelimited the number of visitors in line with the 4 sqm per person and have introduced timed entry to reduce queues.taking the contact details of all visitors in case contact tracing is necessary.installed hand sanitising units and increasing our cleaning regime to thoroughly clean all touch points regularly throughout the day.removed some seating and other touchable items- including paper brochures.

The Rocks is celebrating the start of Spring with the launch of The Rocks Picnic- a weekly picnic style market experience every Sunday. Sydneysiders will be able to fill up their baskets with snackable and fresh produce from a range of stalls- before finding the perfect spot overlooking Sydney city's iconic Harbour.There's delicious bread- bagels and pastries at Brooklyn Boy Bagels or platter up with gourmet goodies from Backa Sydney and Ritas Farm for the perfect picnic. Indulge your sweet tooth at Gelatissimo or satisfy your cravings with Bondi Oysters. Or splurge on both. We won't judge.Start your day with a morning stretch at the 10am free yoga session or sit back and enjoy some of Sydney's best up and coming musicians who will be joining in the fun from 11am - 3pm- bringing their laidback acoustic sets for you to enjoy.A range of picnic furniture and rugs will be available- all of which are appropriately socially distanced- ensuring groups of friends and families can safely enjoy the atmosphere.Wrap up your Sunday picnic and spend the remainder of the afternoon strolling through The Rocks Markets- discovering the cobblestone laneways full of local- handmade homewares- fashion and fresh treats. Or if you feel like popping indoors for a refreshing drink- check out one of the many local pubs.The Rocks Picnic is a perfect way to shake off the lockdown dust - see you there soon!

Our resident yoga instructor- will lead you through a full program of strength- mobility and flexibility to get your body moving on a Sunday morning.It's all set amongst the gorgeous park grounds with views of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House - guaranteed zen.And after you're done getting your stretch on? You're already amongst some of the best shopping and eating in Sydney. Make a day of it at The Rocks Markets and add some retail therapy and brunch to your self-care itinerary.First Fleet Park is located right next to the Circular Quay transport hub- so getting there is easy. If you prefer to drive- all day weekend parking is available for $10. Head over to Wilson Parking online to book.Remember to bring your own yoga mat! Bookings are essential as places are limited. Please remember to register your place through Eventbrite. See you there!The Rocks is a COVID-safe precinct and yoga is held outdoors- providing plenty of space for physical distancing.

Which pub in the Rocks is the oldest? It's plagued with controversy. Wonder off the beaten path- delve into the history of the Rocks- the site of Australia's first European settlement. We'll explore our indigenous history- share with you the stories of murders- mysteries and convict history as we explore the laneways- pubs- and historical buildings.

The First Nations of Australia were just that - firsts. The first explorers- the first farmers- the first caretakers of this nation. NAIDOC Week 2020- 'Always Was- Always Will Be'- honours the world's oldest continuous culture and The Rocks is celebrating with a cavalcade of events- indigenous art exhibitions- markets and cuisine from 8 to the 15 of November.

Lose yourself in the work of influential Australian Chinese artist Lindy Lee. Slow down and take in shimmering- meditative and thought-provoking works in her largest survey exhibition to date- which draws on her experience of living between two cultures.Using a spectacular array of processes which include flinging molten bronze- burning paper and allowing the rain to transform surfaces- Lee draws on her Australian and Chinese heritage to develop works that engage with the history of art- cultural authenticity- personal identity and the cosmos. Key influences are the philosophies of Daoism and Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism- which explore the connections between humanity and nature.Curated by MCA Director- Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE- this exhibition will introduce audiences to over 70 works from across the artist's extensive career- from early photocopy artworks and wax paintings to recent large-scale installations and sculptures.CuratorElizabeth Ann Macgregor OBEAssociate CuratorMegan Robson

The original Rocks walking tours gets up close and personal with the living history and British heritage of The Rocks.Wander through hidden alleys and laneways and hear stories about the many characters and rogues that called The Rocks home. We don't regard what we do as a job and there is no job more enjoyable than ours as tour guides.We get to walk around and talk about this amazing historical precinct- that sits within one of the most beautiful cities in the world- sharing its rich and diverse history and bringing the area to life for the guests that willingly share a fraction of their time with us. How lucky are we!

Anywhere but here: MCA Primavera Acquisitions responds to the global upheaval of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Recognising that pre-existing issues have been aggravated by the current crisis- it considers ideas of labour and domesticity- wellbeing and community- place and urbanism.The exhibition draws from the MCA's collection of works by artists who have participated in Primavera- the MCA's annual exhibition of young Australian artists aged 35 and under. While these works were created prior to the pandemic- it provides a lens for approaching them in new terms. Emma White questions capitalist demands on productivity- while Keg de Souza highlights housing instability and the importance of public space. Hiromi Tango invites us to experience the therapeutic benefits of movement and self-expression- and Dion Beasley draws us back to the local- encouraging us to deepen our social connections. The selected works highlight longstanding strains on society that need to be addressed.Anywhere but here borrows its title from a work by Matthew Griffin. As a throwaway statement- it's something any one of us might mutter under our breath in the present moment. Restlessness is one of many responses we could land on- as our emotions fluctuate along with the news cycle.While considering the immediate impacts of the pandemic on contemporary society- Anywhere but here meditates on the potential for lasting structural change.CuratorsStephanie Berlangieri and Lucy LatellaArtistsSuzannah BartaDion BeasleyShaun GladwellMatthew GriffinFelicia KanPaul KnightMoya McKennaJess MacNeilTV MooreNellKeg de SouzaHiromi TangoEmma White

Venture back to historic Sydney. A time when prisoners roamed- public executions were commonplace and the Rocks Push ruled the street.Discover slums overrun with mass burial pits- sly grog haunts- opium dens and ghosts searching for their loved ones and revenge on those who crossed them.Terrain: Leisurely 2km of walking.Paranormal activity: Moderate.Covid safe activity: guests are asked to bring along their own face mask and maintain social distancing at all times.