Violinist and composer Jane Aubourg has been selected to represent Australia for the 2025 Classical:NEXT conference. One of 16 international artists selected, Aubourg will present her major solo work Play Me Mend Me on 13 May at Berlin’s Colosseum.

Jane Aubourg performing on Anita Johnson’s sculptural instrument. Photo © Nina Kourea

In Play Me Mend Me, Aubourg demonstrates a sculptural instrument created by visual artist Anita Johnson – an unfinished violin augmented with a crutch for its neck, a tobacco tin and blanket that stands 1.6m long and uses sitar strings. Aubourg explores her experience of chronic pain as a result of violin playing in a mix of works developed on ‘The Instrument’.

Aubourg works across the fields of art and experimental music and sound installation. She has been a member of new music ensemble the music box project since 2014 and recently co-directed its 2024 Cut Paste Play festival. The group also  won the 2020 Art Music Award for Excellence in Experimental Practice.

Australians are also strongly represented in the selection of project pitches at the 2025 Classical:NEXT.