As the third event of the series “Traces of Italy: Legacies of Italian Shaping Australia’s Cultural Landscape” the Italian Cultural Institute of Sydney is proud to present a conversation about the fascinating story of Augusto Lorenzini and his impact on interior design in Sydney in the 1880s and 1890s.
Born in Rome, Lorenzini perfected his design and painting skills in Italy, Paris, and London, before arriving in Sydney in 1883. Join Research Librarian Dr Matthew Stephens, Museums of History NSW, as he discusses some of the exquisite designs made for Sydney’s elite which were recently discovered in a lost archive.
Lorenzi’s legacy will then be explored further by interior designer, stylist and educator, Sonia Audoly, Design Centre Enmore, as she traces the influence of Lorenzini and his design world on the restoration of an extraordinary Italianate terrace in Queen’s Park in the 1990s.
Matthew Stephens: research librarian at Museums of History NSW, specialising in early book, musical instrument, and sheet music collections in New South Wales. He has rediscovered the lost library of explorer Ludwig Leichhardt, reframed the biography of 18th-century soldier Hannah Snell, and holds a PhD on the early history of the Australian Museum Library. He curated the exhibition Songs of Home (2019), co-edited Sound Heritage (Routledge, 2022), and collaborates with the Sydney Conservatorium of Music on projects about colonial music in NSW. His work has earned multiple awards, including two National Trust Heritage Awards.
Sonia Audoly: is an Italian-trained architect and designer with a background in journalism and styling, who has worked as an editor for leading publications such as Elle Decor, Vogue, Interni, and Elle. Born in Milan and now based in Sydney—after time in Helsinki, Stockholm, and London—she brings a global perspective to design, combining Italian elegance with international experience. Currently teaching as an interior design lecturer at the Design Centre Enmore – TAFE NSW, Sonia is passionate about mentoring new creatives and exploring innovative, inspiring ideas. Curious and intuitive by nature, she believes that “there is inspiration in everything—keep on looking.
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