Sydney Opera House ‘At Rest’

In 2020 Australia shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic and for the first time since it opened, Sydney Opera House was closed to the public. All of us who work in performing arts were in a state of despair. In a rare and very welcome assignment at the time, Sydney Opera House commissioned me to make a photo essay of the building ‘at rest’. That meant eerily quiet spaces that were normally filled with people, live streamed performances to an empty theatre, and finding maintenance workers keeping the building in good nick for the time it could open again. I also invited a couple of dancers (Amanda McGuigan from The Australian Ballet and Tyrel Dulvarie from Bangarra) who’d normally be performing into the building to shoot some pictures, capturing the melancholy strangeness of it all.

Ange Sullivan, Head of Lighting at Sydney Opera House, turns on the 'Ghost Light' in the Joan Sutherland Theatre

Ange Sullivan, Head of Lighting at Sydney Opera House, turns on the 'Ghost Light' in the Joan Sutherland Theatre

Sydney Opera House silhouette at sunset with colorful sky reflected on water.

Sydney Opera House silhouette at sunset with colorful sky reflected on water.

Silhouette of Sydney Opera House sails at dusk against a darkening sky.

Silhouette of Sydney Opera House sails at dusk against a darkening sky.

During COVID lockdowns, one of the only reasons you were allowed in public spaces was for exercise

During COVID lockdowns, one of the only reasons you were allowed in public spaces was for exercise

Silhouettes of two people jogging near the Sydney Opera House at sunrise, casting long shadows on the ground.

Silhouettes of two people jogging near the Sydney Opera House at sunrise, casting long shadows on the ground.

Red curtain with diagonal wood slats casting shadows

Red curtain with diagonal wood slats casting shadows

Dimly lit interior staircase with wood paneling and concrete elements; angular architecture with handrails.

Dimly lit interior staircase with wood paneling and concrete elements; angular architecture with handrails.

Sunlit interior space with red carpet, tables, and chairs casting long shadows; waterfront visible through glass.

Sunlit interior space with red carpet, tables, and chairs casting long shadows; waterfront visible through glass.

Close-up of wooden benches in an auditorium or theater, arranged in rows.

Close-up of wooden benches in an auditorium or theater, arranged in rows.

Empty room with wooden ceiling and lockers along the walls

Empty room with wooden ceiling and lockers along the walls

Covered desks with plastic sheets, two monitors, wooden wall paneling, and lighting above.

Covered desks with plastic sheets, two monitors, wooden wall paneling, and lighting above.

Maintenance tasks on Sydney Opera House continued in the absence of any visitors

Maintenance tasks on Sydney Opera House continued in the absence of any visitors

Maintenance tasks on Sydney Opera House continued in the absence of any visitors

Maintenance tasks on Sydney Opera House continued in the absence of any visitors

Maintenance tasks on Sydney Opera House continued in the absence of any visitors

Maintenance tasks on Sydney Opera House continued in the absence of any visitors

The renewal of The Concert Hall continued during COVID lockdown

The renewal of The Concert Hall continued during COVID lockdown

Dimly lit staircase with wooden paneling and large concrete structures, featuring handrails and subtle lighting.

Dimly lit staircase with wooden paneling and large concrete structures, featuring handrails and subtle lighting.

Sydney Opera House at night with illuminated sails and a clear sky.

Sydney Opera House at night with illuminated sails and a clear sky.

Dimly lit theater hallway with a red carpeted stairway, wooden walls, and a sign for Circle Door 25; an electronic sign partially reads "RE CLOSED."

Dimly lit theater hallway with a red carpeted stairway, wooden walls, and a sign for Circle Door 25; an electronic sign partially reads "RE CLOSED."

Disinfecting the microphones before a live-streamed performance.

Disinfecting the microphones before a live-streamed performance.

A live streamed performance by Bow and Arrow to an empty theatre, except for a handful of camera operators.

A live streamed performance by Bow and Arrow to an empty theatre, except for a handful of camera operators.

Amanda McGuigan of The Australian Ballet

Amanda McGuigan of The Australian Ballet

Amanda McGuigan of The Australian Ballet

Amanda McGuigan of The Australian Ballet

Amanda McGuigan of The Australian Ballet

Amanda McGuigan of The Australian Ballet

Amanda McGuigan of The Australian Ballet

Amanda McGuigan of The Australian Ballet

Amanda McGuigan of The Australian Ballet

Amanda McGuigan of The Australian Ballet

Amanda McGuigan of The Australian Ballet

Amanda McGuigan of The Australian Ballet

Amanda McGuigan of The Australian Ballet

Amanda McGuigan of The Australian Ballet

Amanda McGuigan of The Australian Ballet

Amanda McGuigan of The Australian Ballet

Tyrel Dulvarie of Bangarra inside the Drama Theatre

Tyrel Dulvarie of Bangarra inside the Drama Theatre

Tyrel Dulvarie of Bangarra inside the Drama Theatre

Tyrel Dulvarie of Bangarra inside the Drama Theatre

Tyrel Dulvarie of Bangarra inside the Drama Theatre

Tyrel Dulvarie of Bangarra inside the Drama Theatre

Tyrel Dulvarie of Bangarra

Tyrel Dulvarie of Bangarra

Tyrel Dulvarie of Bangarra

Tyrel Dulvarie of Bangarra

Tyrel Dulvarie of Bangarra

Tyrel Dulvarie of Bangarra

Tyrel Dulvarie of Bangarra

Tyrel Dulvarie of Bangarra