Listening Back exhibition at the Conservatorium

Centring on historical Conservatorium staff members Cyril Monk and Phyllis McDonald as well as student Patrick Moore MacMahon ‘The Flying Fiddler’, Listening Back comprised of relics and resources that revealed information about the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s significant history.

Curated by violinist and PhD student Julia Russoniello in collaboration with artist Victoria Monk (who is related to featured violinist Cyril Monk), the show featured various ephemera that gave voices to long forgotten echoes from the Conservatorium of Music’s past. The exhibition celebrated the deep, rich history of the Conservatorium with a familial touch.

This exhibition was celebrated with a launch event on Friday 15 September. Julia Russoniello and Victoria Monk activated the research exhibition through a symposia on the works of Cyril Monk and his peers, as well as Victoria’s memories of her grandfather and her creative process in creating the exhibited sculptures. Julia also played excerpts from Monk’s historical music scores on violin to reimagine his musical works.

Listening Back was on display at the Conservatorium of Music Library from 10 August – 6 October 2023.