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‘Migrating Modernism: The architecture of Harry Seidler’ celebrates the life and work of the architect Harry Seidler (1923–2006), one of the most influential figures of the Modern Movement in Australia.
Originally produced by the University of Sydney’s Chau Chak Wing Museum and first presented at the San Marco Art Centre in Venice in 2025, this expanded exhibition brings together photographs, models, original drawings, and artworks to trace Seidler’s extraordinary journey.
The exhibition design by Youssofzay Hart is an ode to the influences - both artistic and architectural - that found expression in Seidler’s work.
Two monumental triangular rooms stand in close proximity within an existing gallery space. They anchor two major thematic sections and give an architectural frame to the exhibition. The architectural condition resulting from the two offset triangles create a visual ricochet across key works and result in unexpected pivots across the space. A subtle grey painted around the perimeter of the gallery space becomes a graphic device to hold the various artefacts and scales within a defined datum.
Internally, the deep saturated colours of the rooms - one red and one blue - directly reference Seidler’s hand painted mural colours on Rose Seidler house. The red room anchors photographs, drawings and ephemera related to Killara House while the blue room contains original drawings, models and references relating to his iconic towers.
Exhibition credits
Exhibition designers: Youssofzay Hart
Curators: Ann Stephan & Paolo Stracchi
Client: University of Sydney’s Chau Chak Wing Museum
Exhibition manager: Luke Parker
Graphic Design: Matt Nix
Lighting: Ben Cisterne
Builder: Art Services NSW with Preset Constructions
Photographer: Hamish McIntosh
Media
Architecture Au: https://architectureau.com/articles/in-conversation-with-belqis-youssofzay-designer-behind-migrating-modernism-exhibition/