Kate Richards

About Me

kate

Kate Richards is a Sydney-based media artist, producer, and academic with over 30 years of experience working at the intersection of multimedia, interactive media, and time-based art. Kate holds a BA in Communications from the University of Technology, Sydney (1980), and a Masters in Fine Art in New Media Research from the University of NSW (CoFA), where she graduated with first-class honours in 1996.

Her work spans a broad spectrum of media including visualisation software, multimedia installations, interactive systems, and immersive experiences. Kate's work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally at prominent institutions such as the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), Sydney Opera House, and The Performance Space, as well as at international festivals like Video Brasil and ISEA Helsinki.

Currently, Kate is the Leader of the Experiential and Immersive Research Lab and the Discipline Lead for Creative Industries at Western Sydney University. She continues to push the boundaries of new media art, frequently collaborating with museums, theatre companies, and research institutions to create engaging, interactive experiences.

Key Projects and Achievements

1. "Bystander" (2007)

Collaborators: Ross Gibson, Aaron Seymour
A five-channel interactive video and sound installation, "Bystander" places visitors in a performative space where audiovisual narratives evolve in response to the audience's movements and attentiveness. The work was featured at The Performance Space, Sydney, and the Justice & Police Museum.

2. "A Drone Opera" (2015)

Collaborator: Matthew Sleeth
A visually striking fusion of art and technology, this project was a 3-channel video installation featuring drones in a live performance setting. It was shortlisted for the Sundance New Frontiers Festival and was exhibited at Carriageworks, Sydney.

3. "Reverie" (2015)

A solo video work exploring themes of memory and reflection. This 7-minute piece was featured at the SCANZ residency in New Zealand and at The Blake Prize in Sydney.

4. "The Driftway" (2022)

Collaborator: P. Rymes
This VR project explores the historic Driftway at Hawkesbury through an immersive VR experience. It won the Best Student Project Award at the Western Sydney University Computer Science School in 2022.

Recent Collaborations

  • "Kurrobori" – A two-channel video installation for the "Enquiring Minds" exhibition at Government House, Sydney, exploring Indigenous storytelling and history (2020).
  • "The Rocks Virtual Reality" – A VR experience that reimagines Sydney’s historic Rocks area with archival photos and original audio (2016).
  • "Wiradjuri Murrayang" – An immersive Indigenous astronomy dome project at Cementa Festival, NSW (2017).
  • "Wayfarer Global Agents" – A participatory live performance series combining locative media, streaming video, and live action in collaboration with Martyn Coutts (2009).

Publications & Presentations

Kate has authored and presented widely on the intersection of media, technology, and art. She has contributed to books such as "English Teaching and New Literacies Pedagogy" (Peter Lang Publishing) and has presented her work at forums like the European Media Art Network and ISEA. Her insights on creating immersive environments have been featured at major conferences like Xcommunicate and the Melbourne International Art Fair.

Thought Leadership and Innovation

Kate is at the forefront of emerging media technologies, often working with cutting-edge tools like VR, AR, and interactive systems. Her projects explore the role of audience engagement, affect, and participation in digital environments. Her collaborations with institutions like the Australian War Memorial and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority demonstrate her ability to bridge art, history, and technology.

Kate's commitment to innovation and exploration in digital media has earned her a reputation as one of Australia’s leading media artists. Through her academic and professional work, she continues to inspire and influence the next generation of creators in immersive and experiential media.