Seidler Sessions are a series of public conversations presented in dialogue with the exhibition Migrating Modernism: The Architecture of Harry Seidler. Bringing together architects, artists, academics and cultural thinkers, these special events explore Seidler’s enduring legacy, the evolution of modern architecture, and the relationship between art and the built environment.
Please note that registration for all events is essential.
2pm - 3pm
Penelope Seidler AO, Colin Griffiths and Andrew Andersons AO in conversation
About our speakers:
Andrew Andersons AO is an Australian architect who designed the extension to the AGNSW in the late 1960s, and extensions to NSW Parliament House and SLNSW in the 1970s. Between 1989 and 2013 he was Director of Peddle, Thorp and Walker, and now works as a freelance architectural consultant.
Colin Griffiths is an architect who, as a 19-year-old student, began working for Harry Seidler in 1953 and is responsible for drawing many of Seidler most renowned projects.
Penelope Seidler AO is the widow of Harry Seidler who she married in 1958, she is an architect and manages Harry Seidler Associates architects. She is involved with many cultural organisations.
Talk 6pm - 7pm, followed by apéritif
Penelope Seidler AO & The Hon. Elizabeth Evatt AC in conversation
About our speakers:
Elizabeth Evatt AC was the first Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia and served on two UN Independent Committees dealing with human rights and discrimination against women.
Penelope Seidler AO is the widow of Harry Seidler who she married in 1958, she is an architect and manages Harry Seidler Associates architects. She is involved with many cultural organisations.
2pm - 3pm
Sue Saxon, Bel Youssofzay and Jennifer Turpin in conversation
About our speakers:
Sue Saxon is an artist, educator and academic engagement curator at the Chau Chak Wing Museum, whose career has focused on creating and interpreting encounters between art and the public.
Jennifer Turpin is an artist with 35 years’ experience working in the public domain making site responsive artworks at the interface of art, science, environment and community.
Bel Youssofzay is an architect and co-director of the architectural practice Youssofzay+Hart who have worked with many Australian and international art institutions to design galleries and exhibitions.
2pm - 3pm
Andrew Andersons, Ed Lippmann and Peter Lonergan in conversation
About our speakers:
Andrew Andersons AO is an architect who designed the extension to the AGNSW in the late 1960s, and to NSW Parliament House and SLNSW in the 1970s. Between 1989 and 2013 he was Director of Peddle, Thorp and Walker, and now works as a freelance architectural consultant.
Ed Lippmann is an architect who worked in Marcel Breuer’s NY office before establishing Lippmann Partnerships which has designed major projects such the Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton Pool, 8 Chifley Square and the recreation centre at the Rocks.
Peter Lonergan is an architect and co-director of Cracknell & Lonergan founded in 1984, that works across the fields of architecture, interior design, heritage conservation, public art, exhibition curation and publishing.
2pm - 3pm
James Weirick keynote
About our speaker:
Emeritus Professor James Weirick, holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from Harvard University, he was director of the Urban Development and Design program at School of Built Environment, University of New South Wales, and has published widely on the Griffins.
2pm - 3pm
Richard Francis-Jones, Caroline Butler Bowden and Penelope Seidler in conversation
About our speakers:
Richard Francis-Jones is an architect and Design Director of fjcstudio, known for leading the design of major cultural, civic and educational buildings in Australia and internationally.
Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon is State Librarian of New South Wales, a published author and curator of architecture and urban history whose work has focused on connecting people with culture, heritage and public places.
Penelope Seidler AO is the widow of Harry Seidler who she married in 1958, she is an architect and manages Harry Seidler Associates architects. She is involved with many cultural organisations.
Header image: Installation views from “Migrating Modernism. The architecture of Harry Seidler”, with artworks by Theo Van Doesburg, Josef Albers and "Portrait of Harry & Penelope Seidler" by Petrina Hicks, SMAC San Marco Art Centre, Venice, 2025. Photo: Enrico Fiorese.
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
