Migrating Modernism: Seidler on show in Sydney

The Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney is host to a new retrospective exhibition examining the life, work and influences of architect Harry Seidler. Curated by Chau Chak Wing Museum Senior Curator Ann Stephen and Dr Paolo Stracchi from the University of Sydney’s School of Architecture, Design and Planning, Migrating Modernism: The architecture of Harry Seidler opened on 18th July. It follows an exhibition of Seidler’s work presented at San Marco Art Centre in Venice in 2025.

Migrating Modernism examines Seidler’s projects and collaborations with architects, engineers and artists, including Marcel Breuer, Pier Luigi Nervi, Frank Stella and Lin Utzon. It also explores his studies under Bauhaus émigré teachers Walter Gropius and Josef Albers in the United States.

Artworks by artists who worked closely with Seidler — including Albers, Alexander Calder, Helen Frankenthaler and Sol LeWitt — feature prominently in the exhibition, reflecting his interest in integrating art with architecture.

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Seidler was born in Vienna and fled Nazi-ruled Austria at the age of 15. After being interned in England and deported to Canada, he completed a degree in architecture before moving to the US, where he studied and worked with Gropius, Albers and Breuer. He later worked with Oscar Niemeyer in Brazil before arriving in Australia in 1948 at the age of 24.

“Beyond its refined formal language, Seidler’s architecture stands as a reflection of the broader cultural, historical, and architectural conditions of its time,” says Dr Stracchi.

His Australian projects include Sydney’s Australia Square, MLC Centre (now 25 Martin Place) and Grosvenor Place, as well as Riverside Centre in Brisbane. International projects include the Australian Embassy in Paris. His first Australian project, Rose Seidler House in Wahroonga, was completed in 1950 and is now a heritage-listed museum.

“Living in Sydney, we see how Harry Seidler’s modern vision introduced a distinctly cosmopolitan culture to Australian cities—not only through his buildings, but also through the art he commissioned to open up major public spaces,” said Dr Stephen.

Chau Chak Wing Director Michael Dagostino adds: “Migrating Modernism brings to our museum an extraordinary personal story and a global narrative highlighting Harry Seidler’s lasting contribution in Australia, and beyond. This is a very Sydney story, reflecting how migration enriches our city through the exchange of knowledge, ideas and experience.”

The exhibition continues at the Chau Chak Wing Museum until the end of January 2027.

Chau Chak Wing Museum
sydney.edu.au