Robbie Synge studied science but now makes performance, film, objects and other things rooted in choreographic thinking around the body and its meeting points and touch - alone and with others - in landscapes and with objects and materials. He lives in Nethy Bridge, a small village in the Cairngorm National Park, Scotland, where he currently focuses his time on developing community links and contemporary art activity particularly in relation to land use and restoration issues. He is developing new partnerships with artist residencies in the area (e.g. The Work Room Time Away residencies 2021).

Robbie originally studied BSc (Hons) Physiology at Edinburgh University (2001), before working for several years in the science, health and education sectors in the UK and abroad. His movement-based practice was founded in skateboarding and martial arts practice before much later studying on the Postgraduate Certificate: Dance in the Community programme at Laban, London (2009).

Over the past twelve years, Robbie has performed and collaborated regularly with companies leading work of a participatory nature with young people and adults. Highlights include Rosemary Lee’s Common Dance (2009) and Fevered Sleep’s Men and Girls Dance (2016).

His practice in recent years has pursued a focus on physical and choreographic potentials of the body, often involving landscape, object or architectural elements, and manifesting in a number of performances in theatre and public spaces and through other mediums. Settlement (2012) was commissioned by The Place, London, for The Place Prize. Douglas (2014) was commissioned by Yorkshire Dance, since presented across the UK and wider Europe and was part of the Aerowaves network selection for 2016, and continues to tour.

His on-going practice with London-based artist Julie Cleves investigates how they can be/sit/move together in different physical places and terrains. As a result, they design and make objects that they use to overcome access challenges. Their actions are collected through film documentation and provide a context for sharing their practice and the many themes arising in performances and discussions.

Ensemble is a collaboration with Lucy Boyes and Edinburgh-based performers Judy Adams, Angus Balbernie and Christine Thynne that aims to challenge audience expectations around age in performance and possibilities in working together. Ensemble was part of Made In Scotland and Aerowaves (2019).

Based in a rural setting that both informs and supports his practice, Robbie has a strong interest in encouraging alternative design of centralised and city-based institution expectations and initiatives, and the opportunity for activity and development out-with the city involving professional artists in connection with local communities.