ABOUT | rarebeasts

Brian McNamara is an experimental instrument builder and sound sculpture artist based in Bungendore, NSW, Australia.

Brian mixes his passions for music, electronics and sculpture into unique objects that should need no explanation to play or experience but convey a deeper meaning in the context of their surroundings.

Brian builds a range of experimental instruments, with a focus on both autonomous soundart sculptures and interactive installation instruments that require the engagement of multiple people or unusual kinetic movements to be played. His instruments include computer programmed elements, percussion, found sounds from used electronics and purpose designed oscillators.

A key feature of his work is audience movement and participation. Art functions best when the art space is inclusive of the public so through his exploration of experimental sounds he uses engagement with the audience as a medium to convey ideas. These explorations include the link between the environment and technology, our own movement around the planet with movement of those fleeing war torn areas and the link between our own minds and those we try to create in machines.

Brian was a national finalist for the Etsy design awards for his soundart piece The EMDS synth (2015) and won the ReArt peoples choice award for the Automaphone(2015) an autonomous device that interprets drawings into music.

Presentations and Exhibitions

HumiHaptic hands in collaboration with Kim V. Goldsmith, Manning regional gallery and Casula Powerhouse arts centre(2023)
Various interactive works, Ainslie salon – Ainslie Arts Centre (2022)
T7 Autophage, Chute Space, M16 Gallery (2021)
Machine Reflections(Solo exhibition), Tuggeranong Arts Centre (2020)
Popup Woden Experiment (2019)
The Philosophy of time travel(solo exhibition), CCAS Manuka (2019)
The fourth state of matter a work in collaboration with Harriet Schwarzrock, Hearts and minds, Canberra Glassworks (2018)
sARTorial: VIVID 2018 wearable tech design(Atomic angel), MCA, Sydney (2018)
Ex Machina, Canberra Contemporary Art Space (2017)
Group show Qbank gallery, 178 Johnson st, Melbourne (2017)
Qbank residency exhibition, Queenstown, Tasmania (2017)
sARTorial: VIVID 2017 wearable tech design(Atomic angel), Sydney, NSW (2017)
Noise instruments, Suki & Hugh gallery, Bungendore (2016)
ReArt 2015 - International upcycle exhibition, M2 gallery Sydney (2015)
Synthetic inventions, Melbourne handmade music festival (2012)
Beat destructor, Wired store exhibition, Times Square New York (2011)
The creative process, Vivid Ideas, Sydney opera house, Sydney (2011)