From 18 June to 7 September , Cockatoo Island was used for the Biennale of Sydney , Australia 's Festival of Contemporary Art , with 35 artists using buildings and sites across the island to display contemporary art . From 18 June to 7 September 2008 , Cockatoo Island was a venue for the Biennale of Sydney , Australia 's Festival of Contemporary Art , with 35 artists utilising buildings and sites across the island to display contemporary art .