Rosie Westbrook: Musical Response to The City Wakes, The City Sleeps

Experience live music unfolding within the gallery as part of The City Wakes, The City Sleeps. 

TarraWarra Museum of Art presents a solo, improvised performance by musician Rosie Westbrook, created in direct response to artworks in The City Wakes, The City Sleeps. Performed live in the Museum, the music acts as an “underscore to the paintings,” offering visitors a layered encounter between sound and artwork.

Westbrook’s electric guitar compositions evolve in real time, responding to the rhythms, moods and spatial qualities of the works on display. Presented as two live sets across the afternoon, this performance invites visitors to experience the exhibition through listening as well as looking.

This intimate performance also serves as a precursor to a larger ensemble work taking place in April, when eight musicians will respond to TarraWarra Festival 2026: System Release at the Eva and Marc Besen Centre.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Rosie Westbrook is a contemporary composer, multi-instrumentalist and performer, renowned for creating music that is evocative, spacious and inherently cinematic. Her most recent album Always the Sea was released to critical acclaim in 2023.

As a solo artist and collaborator, Westbrook has performed with a wide range of contemporary musicians, including Sean Kelly (Models), Mick Harvey (ex-Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey), Kim Deal (Pixies, Breeders), Thomas Wydler (Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds) and Jim Moginie (Midnight Oil).

Her long-standing engagement with visual art has seen her compose soundtracks for art documentaries and create live performance installations inspired by the work of artists.

“Her work is incredibly evocative, spatially resonant, full of movement and drift. Her compositions allow us to dream…” 

— Victoria Lynn, Director, TarraWarra Museum of Art

Most recently, Westbrook has collaborated with artists Jon Cattapan and Lynne Roberts-Goodwin, and produced a new album with John Phillips (Not Drowning, Waving).

Please note: Live music will be performed in the gallery during this time.

Tickets: Standard exhibition entry