Ryan's work will be splashed across the iconic building during musical performances by Bill Callahan and his band on the steps of the Opera House.

Ryan, who has created the American singer-songwriter's three last album covers, said he was ecstatic his paintings would get such great exposure.

"It is fantastic. I'm really excited," he said.

"I've worked with Bill previously and the fact he wants to project images of my paintings behind the band on the Opera House during those two nights is brilliant. A couple of time-lapse films we've made will also be projected during the performances."

The 11-time Archibald shortlisted artist is successful in his own right, but believes featuring in Vivid Sydney can only help his career.

Music and light combine during Vivid Live, which runs until June 8, and is the highlight of the Sydney Opera House's year-round contemporary music program.

"It will definitely give my work much more exposure. It is quite exciting," Ryan said.

"It is a funny thing in this country that sometimes you are not taken seriously until people from outside the country have actually recognised your work . . . I'm sure there will be a lot of people from all over the world checking out the Vivid Festival," he said.

The Vivid showing comes smack bang in the middle of Ryan's latest exhibition. Birds, Noah and Ping Pong Dandies features recent works by the renowned artist and is showing at The Gallery in Corrimal until June 20.

The Gallery is a not-for-profit exhibition space run by Big Fat Smile.

Ryan, a father of two, happily agreed for all proceeds from the exhibition to support the company's innovative Artspace Studio for kids via the Artspace Scholarship Program - which allows kids [aged three to 16 years] from low socioeconomic and local refugee communities access to quality artist-led studio programs during school term.

"The money from the commission goes to the scholarships for those kids to go and do those art classes. I just think that is fantastic. I don't know any other gallery that does that," Ryan said.

"I just think that it [scholarship program] is such a great way for young people to learn how to express themselves, particularly those who have had a much harder life than most Australians.

"To have that outlet, that ability to express themselves, is so important for them on a personal level."

The exhibition will feature a "snapshot" of Ryan's recent paintings, including his popular "dandy series" (peacocky military men from the 1700s), his landscapes (with a twist) and a collection of portraits of his current muse, the actor and artist Noah Taylor. He is hoping his painting of Taylor will give him that elusive Archibald win.

"I've been very honoured to be shortlisted 11 times, but I'm always trying to win it . . . and this year won't be any different," he said.