About Steven Durbach
About me
My work explores the intersection of scientific inquiry and artistic expression. As both a scientist and artist, I inhabit a unique space where analytical thinking and creative intuition converge, informed by complex biological concepts that are transformed into visual language. My work serves as a visual hypothesis, and my practice is process-driven and experimental. I embrace uncertainty and allow my scientific background to inform rather than constrain my artistic decisions. This approach creates tension between control and spontaneity, structure and chaos—mirroring the very biological systems that inspire my work. Whether working large-scale or producing intimate drawings, or digital explorations, I seek to create immersive experiences that invite viewers to consider the hidden patterns that connect all living things. My art challenges the artificial boundaries between disciplines, suggesting that our understanding of reality is enriched when we view it through multiple lenses simultaneously. Through my work as Sid Sledge, I aim to spark curiosity about the natural world and inspire dialogue between scientific and artistic communities, believing that the most profound insights emerge when these seemingly disparate ways of knowing are brought into conversation and this is most authentically achieved in a performative context. I view art as a form of inquiry, where objects and concepts emerge as “aspirant forms,” evolving through interaction and interpretation. Through this approach, I aim to blur the line between the tangible and the abstract, inviting viewers to engage with the possibilities of transformation and discovery. Whether through machine-assisted street performance poetry or collaborative projects, my work seeks to challenge conventional perspectives and ignite dialogue.
------------------------------------
Steven Durbach, aka Sid Sledge, worked as a scientist studying evolution in bacteria and viruses from 1995-2008. From 2008 he worked as an artist / researcher drawing on his knowledge and insights from the study of evolutionary theory. His principal media are drawing; kinetic sculpture and animation and performance. He has recently taken on a more research-based performative approach where during installations, performances and residencies, primarily at science institutions and other non-art spaces that include performances as a street artist in his persona as ‘The Scientist’ – work that has been supported by Poetry Sydney. He uses an experimental approach to engage the audience and evolve his work. He has held several solo exhibitions including in 2016 at the Bondi Pavilion Gallery (Schrodinger’s Bird) in collaboration with UNSW’s Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technologies (now Silicon Quantum Computing); the Willoughby council’s Incinerator Art Space in 2021 (Wobbly Machine), as well as in 2025 at gaffa gallery in the city centre. He Has worked with several scientific organizations with a longstanding collaboration with CSIRO. His work was presented at the trans-disciplinary International Symposium of Electronic Arts in Brisbane as a full paper in 2024.
Curriculum Vitae – Steven Durbach
1998-2002 PhD in Genetics; University of the Witwatersrand; Johannesburg, South Africa
2002-2008 Worked as Lecturer and Researcher in The Dept. of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of the Witwatersrand
2008-present Independent artist at Sid’s Ledge
Selected Science / Art Publications
Contributing artist: FUTURE MOVEMENT: Lead life to the limit of what it can do. 2024. gaffa/PS ISBN: 978-0-646-70815-7 Poetrysydney.org
Durbach S.I. 2024. Preliminary Investigations on How to Love a Machine: Apprehending Art through a Science Aesthetic. Full paper ISEA 2024
Durbach S.I. 2020. A Critique of Pure Measurement. FYIN Paper online Geoculture magazine
(https://www.fyinpaper.com/misura-pura-fra-scienza-arte-filosofia-pure-measure-among-science-art-philosophy/)
Durbach S.I., Springer B., Machowski E.E., North R.J., Papavinasasundaram K.G., Colston M.J., Böttger E.C. and Mizrahi V. 2003. DNA Alkylation Damage as a Sensor of Nitrosative Stress in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Infect. Immun. 71(2): 997–1000.
Durbach S.I., Andersen S. and Mizrahi V. 1997. SOS induction in mycobacteria: Analysis of the DNA-binding activity of a LexA-like repressor and its role in DNA damage induction of the recA gene from Mycobacterium smegmatis. Molecular microbiology. 26. 643-53.
Residencies and Workshops
2024 Presented a Workshop: [October]. Future Movement Poetry Sydney @ GAFFA gallery.
2024 Making a Measurement. August. Residence in the Yalagang Room Bondi Pavilion
2022 Bondi Housewarming Residency (August) with Dr. Sarah Jane Moore (principle applicant)
2020 Culture at Work residence (Pyrmont) - 1 week, November
2018 Workshop at Science Gallery (Melbourne) - PERFECTION EXHIBITION
2017 Residency at CSIRO (October, November)
Performances and Installations
2024 Talk at ISEA24: How to Love a Machine: Apprehending art through a science aesthetic.
2024 Performance Lecture: Human Attitudes to Climate Change. Boston University Sydney Campus
2023 Invited to perform at Poetry Sydney; November; Knox Street Bar
2022 Performance / Talk as “The Scientist”. The Theory of Genesis. School of Astrobiology, UNSW
2022 CSIRO-supported National Science Week Performance of ‘Art walking into Science’, Ryde Library
with Dr. Sarah Jane Moore
2022 Moderating panel for a CSIRO supported discussion as part of National Science Week. ‘Does science
work properly?’; Chatswood Library
2022 Moderator on panel discussion ‘time will tell’ exhibition at Incinerator Art Space, May
2020 Coffee in the Studio (online encounters between artists and scientist); a CSIRO supported Inspiring Australia sponsored event for National Science Week.
2019 CSIRO (Lindfield) installation and performance of a mechanical assemblage as part of National Science Week 2015 (Sept) to 2016 (May) Collaboration with Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technologies, UNSW
2016 Installation at CSIRO/AIP Industry Day (November)
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2025 THE END OF MEASUREMENT, gaffa gallery, March
2020 WOBBLY MACHINE, Incinerator Art Space, Willoughby
2018 (Joint Solo with Beric Henderson); ULTRAGRAFIK Fine Art (Port Macquarie)
2016 Schrӧdinger’s Bird ; collaboration with Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication
Technologies (CQC2T); Bondi Pavilion Gallery
2013 Queen street Gallery. Sid Sledge and other Birds. Woollhara (August)
Selected Group Exhibitions
2024 Sharing the Same Moon; AFA Fujian Assoc. Art Culture Centre.
2022 The Healer. Exhibition of animation work at Sydney Jewish Museum
2021 ‘And they taught the canaries to sing.’ Exhibition of animations at an Online Event; Sydney Jewish
Museum.
2018 Illuminate Group Exhibition at Timber Mill Galleries, Bulli
2017 Field of Dreams; 14 Sept – 14 Oct; ULTRAGRAFIK; Port Macquarie
2015 A Bit Blue 3; GKJE gallery 1 Mercure Hotel , Kings Cross
2014 Redfern Artist Group show (Home); Gallery 107 in Redfern; 15 Oct to 25 Oct
Press
2016 The Art of Mind Bending Physics; ABC Science; Daniel Keane
2016 Quantum World. The Art of Uncertainty; The Australian; John Ross
2019 ARTSCI – WHERE ART IMPACTS WITH SCIENCE (https://www.scienceweek.net.au/artsci-where-art-
impacts-with-science/)
2020 Curiosity the cornerstone for artists and scientists; Interview on Radio National’s, The Science show
with Robyn Williams
Art Prizes
2024 Finalist Kedumba Drawing Prize
2024 Waverley Art Prize
2023 Finalist in The National Capital Art Prize