Over the past 30 years Riddell has been active as a musician, composer, performer, creative coder, installation artist, collaborator, educator, supervisor, writer and promoter of evolving digital creative practices. Beginning with a focus on music composition using technology in the 1980s, his interests have ranged widely over the digital domain and in recent years he has developed a particular interest in the processes of interaction between the creative mind and physical objects. Although he spends considerable time experimenting with technology and ideas, many of his completed works have been publicly presented in a diverse range of curated contexts. Riddell has been the recipient of numerous grants (Australian Council, artsACT, Abbotsford Convent Committee, City of Yarra).

He holds degrees in Music and Computer Science from La Trobe University and a PhD in music composition from Princeton University. He was a lecturer in Sound Art and Physical Computing at the Australian National University, School of Art in Canberra for 12 years and now pursues his creative interests from his studio in Fitzroy, Melbourne. Currently, he is a research associate for Collective Social Intelligence at Foy’s Arcade in mid-town Melbourne.