In Conversation with Jenny Kee AO

In celebration of Sydney Festival’s epic outdoor installation Jenny Kee: The Aunties, commissioning partner South Eveleigh presents a compelling one-off conversation with the inspiration for the work, Australian fashion and design icon Jenny Kee AO.

Moderated by Sydney Festival Director Olivia Ansell, you’ll hear from an internationally acclaimed artist who has helped to shape Australia’s visual identity, and fiercely championed the protection of its environment.

Jenny Kee’s designs reflect her passion for the unique environments that surround her. Born in Bondi to Chinese and Italian parents, Jenny’s trailblazing career started in London’s coveted Chelsea district, later returning home to open The Flamingo Park Frock Salon in Sydney’s Strand Arcade and team up with creative muse Linda Jackson. Though shaped by an eclectic mix of global influences – from Aboriginal Australian to early European, and the arts of Africa, India, Asia and South America – Jenny's distinctive style has always been steeped in a passion for nature, to reflect a “strong, spontaneous, bold and optimistic” Australia.

A pioneer of Australian style, Jenny’s designs are world renowned, exhibited at the Art Gallery of NSW, London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, the Marimura Museum in Tokyo and Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum, whose extensive archive highlights decades of Kee’s design career. Among her many accolades, Jenny was awarded an AO in the Queens’s Birthday Honours of 2018 for distinguished service to the Australian fashion industry and contributions to the environment and conservation.

Proudly wrapped in Jenny’s Unioz Stripe design and waratah hats, the quirky anthropomorphic beings we call The Aunties will tower amongst the trees nearby as Olivia, Jenny and 200 audience members sit within South Eveleigh’s historic Locomotive Workshop to discuss the life and work of this inimitable artist. A Granville train disaster survivor, passionate conservationist, and flamboyant, daring and lovingly dedicated designer – you won’t want to miss what this incredible woman has to say.

If you require an AUSLAN interpreter or hearing loops, please tick the checkbox at the checkout page. 

Stay for lunch and enjoy one of 'The Art of Summer' set menus available for Festival Feasts as part of the Sydney Festival.

South Eveleigh can easily be reached via public transport – just a short walk from Redfern Station. Convenient parking is available at 2 Central Avenue – 2 hours free with validation at retailers on weekdays and free with entry after 6pm. Find out how you can reach South Eveleigh via public transport or car here.