SymbioticA

Andre Brodyk

Further information

Country of origin

Australia

Dr Andre Brodyk is an internationally recognised biotech (genetic) artist.

Biography 

Dr Brodyk's practice–based PhD from UNSW (2009) is entitled, 'Genetic art and recombinants: Introns non-code and the proto-animate condition'.

His practice-led research has realised a number of important creative, practice-based outcomes:

  • First Australian artist to exhibit inanimate genetically modified material as art, chimeara 08, Herringbone Gallery, Sydney, 1999.
  • First Australian artist to develop (SymbioticA lab, UWA, Catts, Cass) and Exhibit inanimate transgenic organisms as art, DNArt, ‘Biofeel’ BEAP 02, PICA, 2002.
  • First Australian artist to make transgenic, triple species artwork, (Lewis lab, UoN 2002) and exhibit living GMOs as Art 488nm, ‘Intersections’, SCA Gallery, 2003.
  • First Australian artist researcher to create synthesised novel biocompatible nc DNA in a molecular lab (Lewis lab, UoN), 2006.
  • First Australian artist to create and exhibit living ‘Junk DNA’ as art, Proto-animate 04, ‘Stenhals’ Syndrome’, GPG, 2008.
  • First Australian artist to use living non-synthetic genomic introns, in transgenic transformation as art, Nb, (tobacco plant with salmon sperm). (Carroll teaching lab , UQ), 2010.

The artist has undertaken numerous artist residencies inside laboratories since 2001. These include:

  • 2010, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland (UQ)
  • 2010-2003, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, (UoN)
  • 2008, Institute for Molecular Bioscience , UQ
  • 2002-2001,SymbioticA Research Laboratory, School of Human Anatomy, UWA.

Dr Brodyk’s research engages with recombinant processes and molecular materials as models of material creativity and as the agencies of art-based expression. His ongoing practice-led research adopts and adapts recent scientific argument overturning prevailing conventions regarding the veracity of non-coding molecular materials within recombinant matrices.

Research project

DNArt

Andre Brodyk undertook a second residency in 2002 developing further research for his 'DNArt' project in microbiology techniques for visualising the artist’s drawings of inanimate objects using gmos. Under the direction of Oron Catts and Gary Cass, Brodyk began developing living transgenic organisms as new painting, collage, printing and drawing media using genetics protocols as new art-making processes.

Brodyk presented the outcomes of this research as a paper entitled, Recombinant Aesthetics (Adventures in Paradise), published by SymbioticA UWA 2002 and an installation in SymbioticA’s 2002 exhibition, BIOFEEL: Art and Biology during BEAP 2002. Brodyk’s installation represents the first known publication of an Australian artist having made and displayed actual gmos as art.
Note: The gmos displayed were non-living, (OH&S).  

Funding

University of Newcastle, University of New South Wales and the artist.

Collaborators

Oron Catts, Gary Cass

Period of research

May - July 2002

DNA art research

Andre Brodyk undertook an intensive ten-day residency in December 2001 and investigated the potentials of developing GFP modified E coli for application as new drawing media under the direction of Oron Catts in the School of Anatomy and Human Biology and Gary Cass in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Preliminary research was undertaken for his 'DNArt' project in microbiology techniques for visualising the artists's drawings of inanimate objects using gmos. Brodyk was also introduced to tissue culture methods being used and developed by TC&A.

Brodyk began using genetics laboratories as a new media studio, living transgenic organisms as new art media and genetics protocols as new art processes during his residency in SymbioticA. He exhibited in SymbioticA’s 2002 exhibition, BIOFEEL: Art and Biology during BEAP2002.

Funding

The University of Newcastle, School of Humanities.

Collaborators

Oron Catts, Gary Cass

Period of research

December 2001