Table of Contents
By Dr Billy Gruner
The Hawkesbury arts community is invited to a special Open Day at BigCi in Bilpin, where an inspiring group of artists from around the world will present their work created during their residency in the Blue Mountains.
This year’s artists-in-residence include:
- Jane Rusden (Castlemaine, Victoria)
- Azu Kimura (Japan)
- Mao Yo-Wen and Weng Hui-Shan (Taiwan)
- Melinda Schawel (Melbourne)
- Sunju Park (South Korea)
Each artist brings a unique perspective shaped by their environment, with projects exploring themes of nature, culture, sound, and texture.
“Sounds of the Scribbly Gum” Collaborative Performance
The highlight of the day will be “Sounds of the Scribbly Gum,” a collaborative performance between musician Sunju Park and artist Melinda Schawel. This extraordinary piece translates the mysterious, looping marks of the Australian scribbly gum into sound and movement.
During the performance, Schawel’s engraved paper works echoing the intricate trails etched by moth larvae beneath the bark, will be interpreted live by Park into an improvised musical composition. The result is a captivating dialogue between visual art and music that captures the rhythm, spontaneity, and texture of the natural world.
A Celebration of Creative Exchange
BigCi’s Open Day offers visitors the rare chance to meet these internationally acclaimed artists, experience their works firsthand, and enjoy the rich creative energy that defines the Hawkesbury’s growing arts scene.
This event continues Bilpin’s reputation as a haven for innovation, collaboration, and environmental reflection through art.
For more information, visit the BigCi website https://bigci.org/and plan your visit to this inspiring showcase of contemporary creativity in the heart of the Hawkesbury highlands.
