First look as Sydney’s Vivid returns post Covid lockdowns with its biggest ever light show

It has been almost three years in the making and now Sydney’s 12th festival of light is ready to power up. Here’s your first look at the spectacular display set to illuminate Circular Quay.

The pandemic may have snuffed out Vivid’s lights for the past two years but this week it will be back, bigger and brighter than ever.

The Daily Telegraph caught a sneak peak of what to expect at Vivid 2022 when the Museum of Contemporary Art was illuminated with the vibrant, colourful triangular work of Sydney abstract artist Helen Eager on Monday night.

“I think it will be uplifting so that will be good for these times,” said Eager of her first work to be shown at Vivid.

“I have always been about colour and light but it was really great to have a new way of working (with them).”

Pulsating to the electronic beats of Sydney musician Paul Mac, the display – a collaboration with artists Rico and Julian Reinhold – is sure to add colour to the city as it returns to life.

Emily Farrell, 12, and Phoenix Drivas, 5, snap a selfie outside the Vivid centrepiece at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Picture: Paul McMillan

The light show, from 15 projectors covering the MCA’s six storey facade, tells the story of Eager’s artistic journey since 1988 when working in New York.

Phoenix Drivas, 5, and Emily Farrell, 12, were lucky enough to catch the MCA up in lights.

The zany display was created by abstract artist Helen Eager. Picture: Paul McMillan

Sails of the Opera House for Vivid Sydney 2022. Picture: Supplied

A Vivid instalment in Walsh Bay.

Gemma Ferguson, 22, is one of the youngest light artists involved in Vivid Sydney 2022 and worked with hundreds of Sydney primary school students to create a mass installation of light flower. She is pictured here with (from left) seven-year-old Avalon Elsley, seven-year-old Ava Corcoran and eight-year-old Lachlan Oliver 8. Picture: Tim Hunter.

A Vivid 2022 instalment.

Emily is looking forward to the 8km light walk that will run along the harbour and up to Central Station.

“I especially like it when the lights come on the Sydney Opera House,” she said.

This year’s vivid festival will run from May 27 to June 18.