Damian is an award-winning composer, multimedia artist and Founder of the online “HiberNATION Festival of the Lo-fi”. His works have been performed and broadcast around the world. He is recognised for his playful artistic style and lush, emotional creations inspired by the Australian bush. He regularly collaborates with colleagues from diverse fields including film, architecture, media arts, dance and more, and incorporates visual, sculptural and light elements with his music.
His work often emphasises tactile experiences of physical places and relationships. His work, with artist Tim Jetis Visiting Eucalyptus saw 6 months of travelling, photographing Eucalyptus trees result in a concert work, installation, book, film and website.
Damian has twice received the ‘Recommended Work’ award at the UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers and was a finalist in the international Toru Takemitsu Composition Prize 2008. He was awarded the Ian Potter Emerging Composer Fellowship to compose seven works during 2006-2007, including commissions for recorder player Genevieve Lacey, and Southern Cross Soloists. In 2010 he received a PhD from the Sydney Conservatorium and in 2015 he was a finalist for “Best Instrumental Work” for the APRA/AMC Art Music Awards. From 2012 till 2016 he worked in the Torres Strait Islands on various community music projects for the Queensland Music Festival including Directing “Ailan Kores” a major festival music event which saw musicians and songs from 6 islands brought to together for a celebration of scared music in the Torres Strait.
Barbeler current lectures in composition, digital music and performance practice at University of Sydney, Sydney Conservatorium and UNSW.