Bundanon

Robyn Backen is an interdisciplinary artist and recipient of the Australia Council Fellowship for 2012-15. Backen’s new body of work evolves from her research into the acoustics of ancient whispering architecture and their unique communication patterns of sending and receiving. She also coordinates the Masters of Studio Art at Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney.

IN RESIDENCE 2020

While at Bundanon the Australian / U.S. / Swedish artist group, Robyn Backen, Ian Hobbs, Daniel Peltz and Sissi Westerberg, merged their varied backgrounds in an exploration of responsibility concerning industrial waste. Due to COVID-19, Daniel and Sissi worked remotely from Sweden, offering a unique and challenging shift to the direction of their work.

IN RESIDENCE 2014

Backen returned to Bundanon in 2014 and further research the diaries of the region. Starting with the Weir and Biddulph diaries, sourced from the Shoalhaven Historical Society, she continued with the themes/approaches of Last Word and combine it with her ongoing research focusing on communication systems and whispering architectural spaces – where our voices/thoughts become part of the architecture of the space. One of which is Niemandsland, an international collaboration between Sydney foreshore Authority, IJ Triennal Amsterdam, Urbane Kunst, Ruhr, Glasgow life and 4 other artists. The interactive whispering dome travelled between waterways and art events during 2015-2016, a border crossing and floating performance space which engages the audience and establishes international connection.

Backen was also in residence at Bundanon in 2012, 2011 and 2009.