"Sound is materially invisible but very visceral and emotive. It can define a space at the same time as it triggers a memory."
Susan Philipsz is a Scottish artist based in Berlin who works with spaces, narrative and sounds. In 2010 she won the Turner Prize, which was the first time a sound work was nominated. In 2014 she was awarded an OBE. She uses recordings, mainly of her own singing voice and projects this sound into a space. Her voice is untrained and she leaves in breaths and imperfections to create a sense of intimacy. She is interested in how sound can trigger memory and emotions. While each piece is unique, she explores familiar themes of loss, longing, hope and return. "Sound is materially invisible but very visceral and emotive. It can define a space at the same time as it triggers a memory."
Philipsz’ work responds directly to the site in which the piece is installed. Her sound pieces have been heard in out-of-the-way spaces such as alleyways and underpasses to very public bus stations and supermarkets. By placing audio pieces in an urban environment she examines more closely the architecture and spaces around us.
Susan Philipsz has recently exhibited at Auckland Art Gallery (NZ), Philadelphia Contemporary, Kröller-Müller Museum (NL), Kunstmuseum Bonn, Castello di Rivoli, and Tate Modern.