Who is Aviva Endean?
I’m a sound artist, composer and clarinettist based in Naarm. The core of my practice is in music, but I also enjoy working across art forms. I’m currently involved in projects across dance, film, recording and installation, which means I get to collaborate with a bunch of incredibly creative people who keep me challenged and inspired. I also have a solo music practice with clarinets, winds and electronics and have released solo albums on Room40 and SOFA (Norway).
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I really love what I do, so I don’t know if I’d want to change too much! But sometimes I wish I could have been a shepherd. I would enjoy spending more time immersed in nature, playing music for no one in particular, and tending to some animals. Sounds like a dream job to me!
Who inspires you and why?
I am really inspired by the elder artists in the experimental arts community. It takes so much commitment to keep creating, to grow a body of work over a lifetime and to build communities around your work. I’m especially inspired by some of my mentor figures who remain humble and are continuously open to collaborating with younger artists, always curious and receptive to sharing practice as a way to open spaces for new connections and experiences.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
One such elder figure, vocalist Carolyn Connors, shared with me years ago that she always asks herself “Does it need to be me? Am I required here?” before accepting an invitation. I’ve really taken this idea on. I think if we can all show up as our most authentic, strange, and expressive selves, in both art-making and in the way we live, the more we will make the world a diverse and exciting place to be.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I’m a big fan of adventures of all sorts, but an ideal holiday should always include the ocean. There is nothing more refreshing than diving down, and remembering there is a whole other reality underwater.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I would take them along to an experimental music gig, with some delicious food beforehand. There is such a vibrant scene of independent music gigs happening in Naarm, in all kinds of venues, bars, people’s homes and less conventional spaces. It’s an exciting element of living in this city that I’m always keen to share with visitors and locals alike.
What are you currently reading?
I just finished Bread of Angels by Patti Smith (speaking of elders) which tracks a whole lifetime as an ever-evolving creative spirit. But the book that’s still resonating for me is Alexis Wright’s Praiseworthy, which took me almost all of 2025 to read because it was so big I couldn’t take it on tour! It’s an epic, political and mind-altering read which I can’t recommend highly enough.
What are you currently listening to?
When I’m in a creative process like I am now, I don’t tend to listen to much recorded music, but I do try to keep going to live shows. While listening, my mind is able to wander, and this is often when I have creative breakthroughs. In the last few weeks, some highlights have included Dylan Martorell at Naturestrip record store, Joel Stern and Ira Hadžić at Northcote Social Club, and three beautiful sets from Dale Gorfinkel & Peter Fraser, Carolyn Connors and Khyaal Vocal Ensemble, at a new monthly night I’m curating called Excess Noise.
Happiness is?
Good food and good music, shared with friends.
What does the future hold for you?
This year will see a lot of exciting projects come to fruition. I’m about to premiere SLOP at Darebin Arts, a visceral sound and dance work with dancer and choreographer Rebecca Jensen. My duo Driftwood is about to release our second album on record label Room40.
I’ll be hitting the road with Nick Ashwood to play shows across Victoria and NSW in June. Then I’ll briefly escape the winter, heading on tour to Indonesia with Lung Swara (a project featuring Javanese singer and dancer Cahwatie Sugiarto and percussionist Matthias Schack-Arnott), before we return to Arts House to further develop the collaboration.
I’m also excited that one of my core projects Hand to Earth, which features Yolngu Songkeepers Daniel and David Wilfred, will be embarking on a major new collaboration with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
I was fortunate to be awarded an Ian Potter Creative fellowship for 2026-27, so going forward, I’m really looking forward to taking more time to work slower and deeper into my projects with the time and resources that this generous gift allows.
If anyone wants to know what I’m up to in future, you can sign up to receive my very occasional mail outs at www.avivaendean.com.
Aviva is the composer and co-performer of SLOP, a new work premiering at Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre. The production will run for a limited season from 13–23 May 2026. For more information, visit: www.arts.darebin.vic.gov.au for details.
Image: Aviva Endean – photo by Sarah Walker