Susan Philipsz
| Susan Philipsz | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Susan Mary Philipsz 1965 Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Education | Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art University of Ulster |
| Spouse(s) | Eoghan McTigue |
| Awards | Turner Prize |
| Patron(s) | MoMA PS1 |
Susan Mary Philipsz OBE (born 1965) is a Scottish artist who won the 2010 Turner Prize. Originally a sculptor, she is best known for her sound installations. She records herself singing a cappella versions of songs which are replayed over a public address system in the gallery or other installation. She currently lives and works in Berlin.
Philipsz was born in Maryhill, Glasgow, one of six siblings. Philipsz's father is half-Burmese and grew up in Burma as a child. His family's life was "pulled apart by the war", and he came to the UK in his twenties. In her youth, Philipsz sang in the local Catholic church choir with her sisters where she learned to harmonize.
From 1989-93, she studied sculpture at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee. She later earned a Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) degree from the University of Ulster, where she studied from 1993-94.
From 2000-01, she was a Studio Artist Resident at MoMA PS1. She was the Director of Catalyst Arts in Belfast for several years. Philipsz is married to Irish photographer Eoghan McTigue.
Philipsz predominantly creates sound installations using recordings of her own voice that are played in specific geographical sites to "heighten the visitor's engagement with their surroundings while inspiring thoughtful introspection." Although Philipsz sings many of her works, it is a key element of her work that she has an untrained, average voice. Philipsz cannot read or write sheet music. She said: "Everyone can identify with a human voice. I think hearing an unaccompanied voice, especially an untrained one, even if it's singing a song you don't know, can trigger some really powerful memories and associations. If I'd gone to music school and had proper training, I would not be doing what I do today."
Her 1998 work "Filter", consisting of versions of songs by Nirvana, Marianne Faithfull, Radiohead and The Velvet Underground, has been played at a bus station and at a Tesco supermarket.
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