In 1997 Duke Albada graduated highly from the prestigious Gerrit Rietveld Academy exhibiting two remarkable public art projects. After working many years as a (part-time) architect/designer in Sydney she is now a recognized site specific public- and installation artist. Duke’s public art is mainly interpretive site specific, and is conceived to be thought provoking. She searches for new approaches in her studio and gallery work and researches social science, human senses and “time”. Materials used in her artworks are many and varied, ranging from new media, light, audio, video, evanescent matter (smoke, steam, water, soap bubbles), natural materials and building products combined with more conventional art media's. Over the past ten years Duke Albada has received numerous prominent commissions for site specific interpretive public art as well as exhibited her work widely in a number of selected group exhibitions and art prizes. She has several works on permanent display. These include the Redland Hospital at Cleveland QLD, Radisson Hotel foyer in Sydney, the staff recreation area for shipping giant ANZDL & Contship’s, at the entrance to Kogarah Municipal Councils chambers, NSW and in the foyer of the Caloundra Cultural centre QLD. Many of Duke's commissions have been won via ‘intellectual tender’, in open competition with other established artists and sculptors. She has been a regular exhibitor at numerous prestigious public art events including the Helen Lempriere Natiional Sculpture Award at Werribee Park VIC, Melbourne City Laneway commissions, Noosa Head’s ‘Floating Land’, Sydney’s ‘Sculpture by the Sea’ and at the Montalto Winery where her ‘Peoples Choice Award’ winning work was purchased for permanent display. Indoor installations have been shown in the 'Object Gallery' and at the Caloundra Regional Gallery.
2008 Susurrus. Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award 2008 On first impressions, this sculpture appears as a curious and oversized device. On closer inspection, listening to the soundscape, it's function becomes clear: to record and translate the energy of its immediate surroundings that is secreted in the rustling of the leaves (susurrus). Softly spoken voices tell secrets, spread rumours and provide facts interlaced with complimentary sound contributions.
2007 Telltales. Presenting a series of mixed media works (including time based and new media) at Caloundra Regional Gallery recounting 20 years of extensive travel adventures; capturing the essence of each journey in a light hearted manner.
2004 Interactive Sound Sculpture_Soul Revival at ‘Tactile Art’_Object Gallery, Sydney. Interactive sound installation for the 'Out of sight' show. Soundedits replay the historical usage of the site. Tactile pavers guide the visitor to the five listening spots.
2004 Casuarina Beach Sculpture Walk_ Puff (very small beach houses)_Tweed Shire Inspired by the local architecture, the wind and the story of ‘the 3 little pigs’. Three 'architecturally and environmentally sustainable' miniature ‘beach houses’. Each house is made from one material; straw, timber & stone.
2004 Montalto Sculpture prize _ What’s the Catch, Redhill VIC Addressing environmental awareness. The rods signify an important feature of both history (rich water life) and the present (leisure). The fish bodies (fronds) slowly disintegrate exposing the fish bones (s/steel) referring to the irreversible alteration of the ecosystem.
2003 Spend More X-Mas @ Home, 5 x-Mas trees from re-used materials for show; TREE Reacting against the consumption society we live in. Instead of creating more new products these X-mas trees are made from products commonly found in and around the house. The opening night was enlivened by participation from the visitors in creating the ‘VB-tree’, all freshly drunk empty beer cans were included.
2003 Kelp tree dresses _ Mixed Media (re-used) _ Sculpture by the Sea _ Sydney. A kinetic temporary installation of five stylized giant kelp trees. Flexible membranes, gently swaying, mimicking underwater currents, interacting with the wind and man. The installation’s moods changed with the weather slow when still, dramatic when windy.
