Keywords
Fields of Research (FoR)
Architecture, Art history, theory and criticism, Design practice and methods, Architectural design, Design anthropologyBiography
I am an established interdisciplinary artist and academic based in the Architecture Discipline in the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture at UNSW Sydney. I trained in Architecture at the University of Adelaide (1993-1998) and was awarded my PhD in Visual Arts from Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney, in 2011. I have lived in Adelaide, London and Munich and am now based in Sydney.
My work explores notions of essentiality and...view more
I am an established interdisciplinary artist and academic based in the Architecture Discipline in the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture at UNSW Sydney. I trained in Architecture at the University of Adelaide (1993-1998) and was awarded my PhD in Visual Arts from Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney, in 2011. I have lived in Adelaide, London and Munich and am now based in Sydney.
My work explores notions of essentiality and minimalism in architectural space through embodied practice. My work ranges from large-scale immersive and site specific installations and constructions, to film, painting, textiles, printed and performative works. Through choreographies of the everyday, and specifically through walking practice, I explore the augmentation of space through subtle realisations of forgotten and intangible spatial forces. I am always endeavouring to discover the ‘essential’ purpose of architecture and identify its minimum conditions; my principal interest is in forms of space-making that often escape attention, including ephemeral, immaterial and unlikely forms of architecture. Recent projects have focused on walking, hiking and climbing with architecture in all its myriad forms — all forms which provoke the disciplinary boundaries of architecture and suggest its expansion in practical and scholarly terms.
I have worked in diverse settings including the Banff Centre (Walking & Art residency), Cité Internationale des Arts (Paris), Motion.Lab (Melbourne), AZ West (California) and the Museum of Loss and Renewal (Collemachia). Most recently I have established A.W.E. Collective, a new collaboration with landscape architect Dr Joshua Zeunert and artist Cathe Stack. My work has a strong ecological focus; I have made work that investigates architectural space and atmosphere in relation to air, dust and particulate matter. In my teaching, I question the boundaries between art, architecture and landscape and nurture a diverse group of interdisciplinary research students and early-career colleagues. I teach a range of undergraduate and postgraduate architectural design studios that are increasingly informed by walking art practice. I am strongly connected to industry and am currently a Creative Industries Resident at the Museum for Applied Arts & Sciences. My work has been exhibited throughout Australia and internationally in Canada, China, Denmark, Italy, Japan, New Zealand and the UK.
My Grants
selected grants
2020 > Creative Fellowship, City of Sydney
2020 > Creative Community Grant, Northern Beaches Council
2020 > National Assistance Grant, Myer Foundation
2018 >Vertical Camp, major Art & About commission, City of Sydney
My Qualifications
PhDVisArts(USyd); BArch(UAd); BArchSt(UAd)
My Awards
selected awards
2022 > National Research Award, with UoN and UTS, AILA
2022 > NSW Research Award, with UoN and UTS, AILA
2022 > Red Dot Design Award, Luminocity, with Cathy Smith and James Hargrave
2022 > Dezeen Long List, Luminocity, with Cathy Smith and James Hargrave
2021 > Finalist, Environmental Art Award, Manly Art Gallery & Museum
2017 > Finalist, Venice Architecture Biennale 2018 Creative Director, with AUSemblage
2017 >Eden Unearthed Major Stipend, Eden Gardens, Sydney
2017 > Breathing Buildings, Non Traditional Research Grant, BE UNSW
2016 >Everyday Life in the Atmosphere, Early Career Researcher Grant, BE UNSW
2016 > Eden Unearthed Major Stipend, Eden Gardens, Sydney
2015 > Finalist, with Panovscott, Inaugural Tapestry Design Prize for Architects, Australian Tapestry Workshop
2015 > Everyday Life in the Atmosphere, Early Career Researcher Grant Grant, BE, UNSW
2014 > NSW Artist Grant, National Association for Visual Arts
2014 > Breathing Buildings, Early Career Researcher Grant, BE, UNSW
2013 > New Work Grant (Mid-Career Artist), Visual Arts, Australia Council for the Arts
2013 > Re-imagining mine site remediation, Faculty Research Grant, with Linda Corkery, Ros Taplin, Louise Fowler-Smith, University of New South Wales
2008 > Finalist, New Visual Artists Award, Japan Foundation, Sydney
2007 > Beth Winspear Scholarship, Walking and Art Residency, Banff Centre, Canada
2007 > New Work Grant (Emerging Artist), Visual Arts Board, Australia Council for Arts
2007 > NSW Artist’s Marketing Award, National Association for the Visual Arts
selected residencies
2022 > Wild Ways, with Museum of Loss & Renewal, Italy
2022 > Bundanon, with Cathe Stack and Joshua Zeunert as A. W. E. collective, NSW
2017 > Encampment, with Andrea Zittel, A-Z West, Joshua Tree, USA
2017 > Northern Beaches Council Artist in Residence, Sydney
2014 > Eramboo Public Art Residency, Sydney
2010 > Artspace Residency, Sydney
2009 > Cité Internationale des Arts, October – December, Paris
2007 > Walking and Art Residency, August – November, Banff Centre, Alberta, Canada
2007 > The Interference Project, Early Career Researcher Grant, UNSW
1999 > Kenneth and Hazel Milne Travelling Scholarship, University of Adelaide
1999 > HR Riddle Scholarship, University of Adelaide
My Research Activities
FORTHCOMING BOOK CHAPTERS
Murray, A. (2023). “Aqueous Landscapes: Teaching and learning in the intertidal zone in second year architectural design studio.” In Kim, J. (ed.). Interdisciplinary Design Thinking in Architecture Education. In press (Routledge).
Demirbilek, O. & Murray, A. (2023). “The Fluid Scale of Design Practice: City of Sydney public domain furniture.” In Favaro, P. & Freestone, R. (eds.). Adaptive urban architecture and design: Tzannes. In press (Thames & Hudson).
CREATIVE WORKS NON-TEXTUAL
Murray, A. “Registry of Itinerant Architectures.” Online environment. www.itinerant.academy.
Murray, A. (2023). “Registry of Itinerant Architectures (trailer).” Time, Space, Existence. European Cultural Centre. Venice, Italy.
Murray, A. (2023). “Crit-i-kit (Playing Cards).” Time, Space, Existence. European Cultural Centre. Venice, Italy.
Murray, A. (2023). “Crit-i-kit (Digital print).” Time, Space, Existence. European Cultural Centre. Venice, Italy.
Murray, A. (2022). “The Rocks” in Eden Unearthed, curated by Meredith Kirton. Macquarie Park: Eden Garden. Digital sublimation print on folded aluminium.
Murray, A., Stack, C. and Zeunert, J. (2022). “Bundanon Sticks” in Bundanon Artist in Residence Public Program, curated by Nicole Smede. Illaroo: Bundanon Art Museum. Eucalyptus sticks, paint markers, string.
Murray, A. (2021). “Road Trip” in Eden Unearthed, curated by Meredith Kirton. Macquarie Park: Eden Garden. Digital photographic print on PVC, aluminium, gravel.
Murray, A. and Ware, S. (2021). “Humus” in Southern Resilience, Resilient Communities, curated by Alessandro Melis. Italian National Pavilion. Venice: 17th Venice Architecture Biennale. HD video with audio.
Murray, A. (2021). “Intertidal Sections and Cross Sections” in Time, Space, Existence, curated by the European Cultural Commission. Palazzo Bembo. Venice: 17th Venice Architecture Biennale. HD video with audio.
Murray, A. and Sleight, J. (2019). “Unravelled Foreshore #1” in Aqueous Landscapes, curated by Helen Lochhead, Xing Ruan, Fram Kitagawa. Yangpu Waterfront. Shanghai: Shanghai Urban Space Art Season. Digital sublimation print on polyester chiffon.
Murray, A. (2019). “Intertidal Sections” in Aqueous Landscapes, curated by Helen Lochhead, Xing Ruan, Fram Kitagawa. Yangpu Waterfront. Shanghai: Shanghai Urban Space Art Season. HD video with audio.
Murray, A. (2019). “Sentinel Ledge” in Eden Unearthed, curated by Meredith Kirton. Macquarie Park: Eden Garden. Aluminium, nylon, braided fishing line, rope.
Murray, A. and Dorabialski, J. (2019). “Power Plants Garden One” in Power Plants Phytoremediation. Sydney: White Bay Powerstation. HD video with audio.
Murray, A. (2018). “I’ll Give You Data” in ADR18, curated by Sarah Breen Lovett, Rachel Couper & Ivana Kuzmanovska. Sydney: Tin Sheds Gallery. Archival print.
Murray, A. (2018). “Everyday Life” in Make Known: The Exquisite Order of Infinite Variation, curated by Eva Rodriguez Riestra. Sydney: UNSW Galleries. HD video with audio.
Murray, A. (2017). “Humane Hostility” in Manly Arts Festival, curated by Northern Beaches Council. Sydney: Manly Beach. Acrylic, polycarbonate bird spikes, cable ties, participatory procession.
Murray, A. (2017). “Structural Adaptations” in Breathing Buildings, curated by Julian Worrall. Sydney: Japan Foundation Gallery. Acrylic, glass, adhesive film.
Murray, A. (2017). “Particulate Matter (Conservatoire)” in Breathing Buildings, curated by Julian Worrall. Sydney: Japan Foundation Gallery. Tyvek, glass, adhesive film, acrylic.
Murray, A. (2017). “Breathing Buildings” in Breathing Buildings, curated by Julian Worrall. Sydney: Japan Foundation Gallery. HD video with audio.
Murray, A. (2017). “Humane Hostility” in Black Crows Invaded Our Country, curated by Michelle St Anne. Sydney: Living Room Theatre and Sydney Environment Institute. Acrylic bird spikes, cable ties.
Murray, A. (2016). “House for a Lost Tree” in Eden Unearthed, curated by Meredith Kirton. Macquarie Park: Eden Garden. Plywood, hardwood, stainless steel, polypropylene, cable ties.
Murray, A., Scott, A. and Panov, A. (2015). “Untitled” in Inaugural Tapestry Design Prize for Architects, curated by Australian Tapestry Workshop. Melbourne: Australian Tapestry Workshop. Digital prints.
Murray, A. (2015). “Urban Field” in Shelter Union Public Program, curated by Lucy Ainsworth. Sydney: UNSW Galleries.
Murray, A. and Ferrari, R. (2014). “The Liquid Air (Breathing Structure)” in On Islands, curated by Selena Griffith. Sydney: Eramboo Artist Environment. Acrylic, aluminium, sand, vinyl tube.
Murray, A. (2014). “Particulate Matter” in Design Research: Shared Territories, curated by Anuradha Chatterjee, Thomas Fischer and Marian Macken. Suzhou: Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Paper, water-soluble film, glass, adhesive tape.
Murray, A. (2014). “The Matter of Voids” in Expanded Architecture, curated by Sarah Breen Lovett and Claudia Perren. Sydney: Australia Square. Water-soluble film, glass, adhesive tape, silica, water sprayers, water.
Murray, A. (2013). “The Liquid Air (Prototype)” in The Shape of Air, curated by Susan Milne and Greg Stonehouse. Sydney: Eramboo Artist Environment. Acrylic, aluminium, sand.
Murray, A. (2013). “Remedy” in In Situ: Mosman Festival of Sculpture and Installation, curated by Cassandra Hard Lawrie. Sydney: Military Road. Perforated Tyvek, nylon, cotton, stainless steel.
Murray, A. (2013). “Souk” in North Sydney Art Prize, curated by Alison Clark. Waverton: The Coal Loader. PVC mesh, nylon.
Murray, A. (2011). “Utterances” in Intangible Architecture, curated by Suzanne Davies. Melbourne: RMIT Gallery. Painted and printed Tyvek, acrylic.
Murray, A. (2011). “Dissolution and Departure” in Intangible Architecture, curated by Suzanne Davies. Melbourne: RMIT Gallery. Tyvek, monofilament, lead, carbon fibre.
Murray, A. (2010). “Air Architecture I, II, III” in Constellations: A large number of small drawings, curated by Vanessa Gerrans and Suzanne Davies. Melbourne: RMIT Gallery. Acrylic on canvas.
Murray, A. (2008). “An Architecture of Thread and Gesture (Extract)” in Momentum: 18th Tamworth Fibre Textile Biennale, curated by Valerie Kirk. Tamworth: Tamworth Regional Gallery and 11 other national venues. Tyvek, monofilament, carbon fibre.
Murray, A., Pedley, S., and Lounder, B. (2007). “Walks” in Walking and Art Residency, curated by Ernie Kruger. Banff: The Other Gallery, Banff Centre. Tyvek, monofilament, timber dowel.
Murray, A. (2007). “Char Dham Walk (Garhwal)” in Tactile Imagination, curated by Tom Loveday. Sydney: Ivan Dougherty Gallery. Monofilament and acrylic on linen.
Murray, A. (2007). “Fushimi Inari Walk (Kyoto)” in Tactile Imagination, curated by Tom Loveday. Sydney: Ivan Dougherty Gallery. Monofilament and acrylic on linen.
Murray, A. (2007). “Interference” in Interference: Exhibiting Art and Architecture, curated by Jan Fieldsend. Sydney: Tin Sheds Gallery. Belgian linen, polyester, hardwood.
CREATIVE WRITTEN WORKS
Murray, A. (2018). “Death Valley” in Desert Destination Log, edited by Andrea Zittel. Joshua Tree: A-Z West and High Desert Test Sites, 141-142.
Murray, A. and Worrall, J. (2008). “An Architecture of Thread and Gesture” in An Architecture of Thread and Gesture Catalogue. Sydney: Japan Foundation, unpaginated.
Murray, A. (2007). “The Active Plane” in Tactile Imagination Catalogue, edited by Tom Loveday. Sydney: Ivan Dougherty Gallery, 22-23.
Murray, A., Tong, M. and Walker, L.M. “Interference” in Interference: Exhibiting Art and Architecture Catalogue. Sydney: Tin Sheds Gallery (2007), unpaginated.
CURATORIAL
Murray, A., Stack, C. and Zeunert, J. (2023). Powerhouse Late: Landscapes. Sydney: Powerhouse Ultimo. April 20 2023.
Murray, A. and Smith, C. (2021). Luminocity. Sydney: UNSW. September 4 2021.
Murray, A. and Lochhead, H. (2019). Aqueous Landscapes. Shanghai: Shanghai Urban Space Art Season. September 28 – November 30 2019.
Murray, A. (2016). An Experimental Art Foundation at the Coal Loader. Sydney: Meeks Street Randwick. October 18 – 25 2016.
Murray, A. (2015). Architecture by Hand & Mind: 60 Years of Architecture at UNSW. Sydney: Red Centre, UNSW. October 19 – 30 2016.
THESIS
Murray, A. (2011). Intangible Architecture. PhD Thesis. University of Sydney.
EDITED BOOKS
Murray, A. & Ruan, X. (eds.). (2019). Hand & Mind: Conversations on Architecture and the Built World. Sydney, New South Publishing.
Murray, A. (ed.). (2004). Re[a]d: FBE Architecture Journal. Sydney, UNSW Press.
EXHIBITION CATALOGUES
Murray, A. (2011). In Davies, S. (ed.). Chelle Macnaughtan: Spatial Listening, Ainslie Murray: Intangible Architecture, Malte Wagenfeld: Aesthetics of Air. Melbourne, RMIT Gallery.
Murray, A. (2008) in Kirk, V. (ed.). Momentum: 18th Tamworth Fibre Textile Biennial 2008. Tamworth, Tamworth Regional Gallery.
Murray, A. and Worrall, J. (2008). An Architecture of Thread and Gesture. Sydney, Japan Foundation.
Murray, A. and Tong, M. (2007). Interference: Exhibiting Art and Architecture. Sydney, Tin Sheds Gallery.
INDUSTRY JOURNALS
Murray, A. and Lochhead, H. (2020). “Aqueous Landscapes” in T+A: Time + Architecture, 171 (1): 61.
Fowler-Smith, L., Murray, A., Keys-Statham, C. and Taplin, R. (2013). “Rethinking mine remediation via transformative experimental art practice.” Artlink: Australian Contemporary Art Quarterly, 33 (4).
Murray, A. (2008). “Unfolding Ground.” Column, 1 (1): 112-116.
Murray, A. (2005). “In the Wake of Gesture: architecture and the handmade.” Artlink: Australian Contemporary Art Quarterly, 25 (1): 54-55.
Murray, A. (2004). “Belaau: Contemplating Architecture in Rural Fiji.” Conversations, 5 (1): 58-77.
REFEREED CONFERENCE PAPERS
Tighe J., Murray, A. and Freestone, R. (2022). “Mapping the Incomplete City: A Half Century of Urban Change in Central Sydney” at the 39th Annual Conference of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand. Auckland: University of Auckland. 25 – 27 November 2022.
Murray, A. (2015). “Breathing Buildings” at Making Research, Researching Making. Copenhagen: ADAPT-R International Conference, Aarhus School of Architecture. September 2015.
REFEREED CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS
Murray, A. (2022). “The Registry of Itinerant Architectures” at The Nomadic Image: The Seventh Transdisciplinary Conference on Imaging at the Intersections of Art, Science and Culture. Naryn, Kyrgyzstan: University of Central Asia. September 23 – 25 2022.
Murray, A. and Muller, L. (2019). “Under the dust and dirt: a discussion about architectural models with Allan Wexler” at Frascari Symposium IV: The Secret Lives of Architectural Drawings and Models. London: Kingston University. April 2 2019.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Murray, A. (2023). “Registry of Itinerant Architectures.” Nomadic Camera. Ludwig Maximillians Universitat and Brandenburg Centre for Media Studies. Munich, Germany. 13.06.23- 16.06.23.
Murray, A. (2016). “The Liquid Air” at Art, Science, Oceans Colloquium. Sydney: Sydney Environment Institute, University of Sydney. August 12 2016.
Murray, A. (2015). “Dissolution and Departure: practical reflections on un-making through making” at Material Culture in Action: Practices of making, collecting and re-enacting Art and Design. Glasgow: Glasgow School of Art. September 7 – 8 2015.
My Research Supervision
Supervision keywords
Areas of supervision
I specialise in practice-based research in the areas of Art & Architecture, Visual Art, Spatial Art, Public Art, Environmental Art, Walking, Mobile Architecture, Nomadic Architecture and Architectural Drawing.
Currently supervising
Daniel Connell (Practice-based PhD) : From Line to Expression: Engaging Transient Architectural Complexities through Communal Authorship
Farnaz Fattahi (PhD) : Artist/Architect/Activist Choreographing Scenarios of Collective Interaction
Nafisehsadat Seyedeh (Practice-based PhD): Intersection of Landscape, Anthropocene and Environmental Art
Catherine Stack (Practice-based PhD): Connectivity to Landscape through the Shaping of Artefact
Jeffrey Tighe (Practice-based PhD): Build interdisciplinary knowledge within the fields of urban planning and policy, and urban design, art and architecture relating to the inherent complexity within the city as a temporal, incomplete entity.
Renee Charron (Practice-based Phd @ Concordia, with Erin Manning and MJ Thompson) : Drawing from the Architecting Body.
My Engagement
I specialise in leadership of international and national engagement projects that connect academic practice to the community. My recent work has included the internationally awarded Luminocity online exhibition (2021, Co-Curator); Aqueous Landscapes exhibition (2019, Shanghai, Co-Curator); BE/Opera Australia Collaboration (2016, Sydney Opera House, Director); internationally awarded book Hand & Mind: Conversations on Architecture and the Built Environment (2018, Lead Co-Editor).
My research is embedded in industry, and I'm currently a NSW Creative Industries Resident at Powerhouse Ultimo (2021-2023). In this residency my creative research practice is physically embedded in the Powerhouse Ultimo.
Current and previous engagement roles at UNSW include Post Graduate Coordinator (BE, 2022-current), Architecture Curator (BE, 2016-2021), Design Research Cluster Convener (BE, 2015-2018), Higher Degree Committee (ADA, 2022-current), Research Committee (BE, 2015-2018 and 2022-current), Academic Programs Quality Assurance Committee (BE, 2019-2020).
My Teaching
Architectural Design Studio, Interdisciplinary Art and Architecture Practice, Drawing
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ORCID as entered in ROS
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2225-2423