TAGLIETTI IN SYDNEY - Italian Design Day 2026

Traces of Italy – Legacies of Italians Shaping Australia’s Cultural Landscape series

The Italian Cultural Institute in Sydney, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Sydney, is pleased to present a special event for Italian Design Day as part of the Traces of Italy – Legacies of Italians Shaping Australia’s Cultural Landscape series, celebrating the remarkable contribution of Italian architect Enrico Taglietti.

Currently on view in Canberra, Taglietti: Life in Design tells the story of Enrico Taglietti and his wife Franca, who settled in Canberra in 1956 and went on to shape the architectural identity of Australia’s National Capital through some of its most memorable and inspiring buildings.

For this Sydney event, we are delighted to welcome Senior Curator Virginia Rigney (Canberra Museum and Gallery) and Associate Professor Silvia Micheli (University of Queensland), who co-curated the exhibition together with Tanja Taglietti.

Together, they will share insights into Taglietti’s journey — from the invitation by Charles Lloyd Jones to bring contemporary design from the Milan Triennale to David Jones in Sydney, to the commission from the Italian community for one of Sydney’s most beautiful modernist churches, St Antony's Parish Church Marsfield (1968).

This event offers a unique opportunity to discover Taglietti’s architectural vision and the broader cultural dialogue between Italy and Australia that shaped his work.

During the event, visitors will also be able to view a special exhibition of ten photographs tracing the life and work of Enrico Taglietti, with a focus on Sydney. The photographs have been selected and provided by the Taglietti family from their archival material. Tanja Taglietti, Taglietti’s youngest daughter and custodian and curator of the Taglietti Studio Archive, will be present at the event.

The exhibition Taglietti: Life in Design is on view until 3 May at Canberra Museum and Gallery.

A special guided tour of St Antony’s Parish Church will take place on Friday 20 March at 10:00am (details to follow).

Speakers

Silvia Micheli
Dr Silvia Micheli is an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland and an architect and historian specialising in modern and postmodern architecture. Her research explores the international circulation of architectural ideas, with a particular focus on exchanges between Italy and Australia. She has authored and edited several influential books, including Paolo Portoghesi: Architecture between History, Politics and Media (2023), and offers a valuable perspective on the work and legacy of Enrico Taglietti.

Virginia Rigney
Virginia Rigney is Senior Curator of Visual Arts at Canberra Museum and Gallery. A curator, writer and creative producer, she has developed exhibitions, publications and public programs across Australia and internationally. Her major projects include Taglietti: Life in Design, reflecting her strong interest in architecture and design within contemporary curatorial practice. Born in Canberra, she has held roles at leading museums in Australia and overseas and brings extensive experience in collaborative and cross-disciplinary projects.