BigCi is an independent, artist run, not for profit artist residency program in Bilpin, Australia (near Sydney), focusing on artists’ professional development and facilitating their projects.
BigCi has been established and run by Rae Bolotin, a practicing artist, and Yuri Bolotin, environmentalist and wilderness explorer.
We are situated on the edge of Wollemi National Park within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains, one of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots. Due to our location and the knowledge base of our team, many of our resident artists are particularly interested in projects that explore environmental or ecological issues, although many others use our outstanding natural surroundings as a source of creativity for a variety of different artistic pursuits.
All residents have opportunities to take part in bushwalks conducted by Yuri Bolotin, an experienced mountain guide and author, and to learn first-hand about the unique biodiversity and geodiversity of the area.
Artists-in-residence are able to present their work during a BigCi Open Day that takes place at the end of their stay.
Painters, sculptors, multimedia artists, performance artists, writers, musicians, dancers, filmmakers and other creative souls are invited to apply for the residency. Curators, artistic directors, visionaries and ideas people are welcome to propose events, gatherings, exhibitions and other creative initiatives.
In addition to the artist residency program, BigCi is available for events, performances, workshops, installations and exhibitions. Proposals are welcome.
BigCi has collaborative links with a number of art organisations, including Asialink, Artspace Sydney, Sydney Biennale, Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Goyang Art Studio, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea; Red Gate Gallery, Beijing, China, Move Arts Japan (MAJ) Artist In Residence Program, Japan Foundation.
BigCi is a member of Res Artis – worldwide network of artist residencies.
BigCi is established and run by Rae and Yuri Bolotin
Rae Bolotin
Rae Bolotin is an artist and an Artistic Director of BigCi. She has always been interested in a wide variety of artistic endeavours and collaborations. Rae wants to see BigCi becoming a hub for the professional development of artists and is curious to observe how this unusual venue on the edge of a national park will affect their practice. Rae has received the 2018 Creative Leader Award from Blue Mountains Creative Artists Network (BMCAN). You can find more information about Rae on www.raebolotin.com
Yuri Bolotin
Yuri Bolotin is a wilderness explorer, author and environmentalist with over 30 years experience in the Australian Bush. He regularly leads and takes part in wilderness research expeditions and is a member of the Blue Mountains Conservation Society and the Colong Foundation for Wilderness. He has recently published the fourth of the series of books about the Wollemi National Park and is also one of the three authors contributing to the publication of a 9 book series on the Gardens of Stone region. Yuri has received the Excellence in Conservation Occasional Award 2018 from the National Parks Association. You can find more about Yuri’s wilderness explorations on www.bushexplorers.com.au
BigCi is supported by a group of enthusiastic volunteers.