Migrating Modernism 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 Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney, in collaboration with 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.
Forced to flee Nazi-occupied Vienna as a teenager, Seidler embarked on a path that eventually led him to study in the United States under Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer and Josef Albers, and then work with Marcel Breuer, and later with Oscar Niemeyer.
From Sydney, he launched a prolific international career that reshaped the architectural landscape of modern Australia. Over five decades, Seidler produced a body of work spanning continents and scales, including significant collaborations with structural engineer Pier Luigi Nervi and architect Marcel Breuer.
With Penelope Seidler, his life companion and professional partner, he maintained a deep commitment to the relationship between architecture and art. Together they commissioned major artworks for his buildings and assembled a remarkable personal collection featuring works by Alexander Calder, Josef Albers, Alexander Calder, Helen Frankenthaler, Frank Stella, and Sol LeWitt.
Across Australia and abroad – from Acapulco, to Paris, Hong Kong, and his native Vienna – Seidler’s legacy emerges as both a personal story and a global narrative that reveals how modernist ideas migrated, evolved, and left a lasting imprint across cultures and time.
Migrating Modernism. The architecture of Harry Seidler is an exhibition produced by the Chau Chak Wing Museum, The University of Sydney, originally produced in collaboration with and presented at San Marco Art Centre, Venice in 2025.
Dr Ann Stephen
Senior Curator, Chau Chak Wing Museum, The University of Sydney
Dr Paolo Stracchi
Senior Lecturer, Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Sydney
San Marco Arts Center, Venice (SMAC)
The University of Sydney: Architecture, Design and Planning; US Study Centre, and the Power Institute
Helen Frankenthaler Foundation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
State Library of NSW
John Kaldor AO
National Gallery of Australia
Powerhouse
Harry Seidler & Associates
Penelope Seidler
Paolo Stracchi
State Library of New South Wales
Private lenders
Luke Parker
A major Symposium will be held to accompany the exhibition from August 26-28th, in partnership with SLNSW, USSC, Power Institute and the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning. More information will be released closer to the event.
Additional monthly talks by leading architects will be held in the exhibition space.
Migrating Modernism: An exhibition walk through with Penelope Seidler AO
Saturday 25 July
2pm - 3pm (AEDT)
Registration essential.
Click here for more information.
Open seven days a week
Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm
Sat - Sun: 12 - 4pm
Please note: the Chau Chak Wing Museum is closed on public holidays. Click here for more information about opening variations.
Please note: the Chau Chak Wing Museum will be closed between 21 December 2026 - 4 January 2027.
Exhibition open:
18 July 2026 – 18 December 2026
5-31 January 2027
Location
The Ian Potter Gallery, Level 4
Chau Chak Wing Museum
Cost
Free
Header image: Julian Rose House, Wahroonga Sydney 1950-54. Architect, Harry Seidler. Photo by Max Dupain 1954. Copyright Penelope Seidler.
Migrating Modernism. The architecture of Harry Seidler was originally produced by the Chau Chak Wing Museum in collaboration with and presented at San Marco Art Centre, Venice in 2025.
The presentation during the Venice Architecture Biennale of Migrating Modernism. The architecture of Harry Seidler, received support from John Kaldor AO, the ALBN Foundation, the Keir Foundation, the Sarina Russo Foundation, and the Turnbull Foundation.
The Australian expanded exhibition of Migrating Modernism. The architecture of Harry Seidler, at the Chau Chak Wing Museum has received support from John Kaldor AO, the ALBN Foundation, the Sarina Russo Foundation, the Sherman Foundation, and the University of Sydney USA Foundation.
Phone: +61 2 93512812
Email: ccwm.info@sydney.edu.au
Chau Chak Wing Museum
University Place
Camperdown NSW 2050
