What drew you to the artwork you selected as the departure point for your composition?
I was struck by the use of commonplace materials in Jonathan Baldock’s work [a salt-dough mixture], and how he layers simple motifs to create sculptures of serene beauty, yet with a sense of unnerving brutality lingering beneath the surface. The subdued nature of Alexandre, with the physical smothering of the ears and mouth (cutting off the body parts associated with sound production and reception), and the blissfully closed eyes, left me unsure if the character is being forcefully silenced or is surrendering to an internal ecstasy — this unstable paradox formed the starting point for my music.
What was the process of translating visual art into musical expression?
My reaction to Jonathan’s work felt so embodied and visceral, the piece evolved as a single entity in my mind out of my emotional reaction to the sculpture, the form taking shape very quickly and organically. The paradoxical nature of the sculpture, both at peace and smothered, pushed me to write music which hangs in an uncertain balance between fragile beauty and forceful aggression, using the music as an imagined realisation of the emotional landscape inside the mind of the salt-dough sculpture.
How did conversations with the artist influence your compositions?
Hearing Jonathan talk about his influences was essential to the composition of my piece. We have shared interests in medieval art, queerness and ritual which informed the wider artistic pallet I drew upon when creating the world of the piece.
Were there any particular themes or moods from the artwork that strongly resonated with you?
The bust draws upon so many influences and histories evoking a huge variety of themes and moods to pull from. I focused particularly on the elements of contradiction in the artwork and how the process of layering simple materials can create something strikingly sophisticated. However, most of all I drew upon my emotional response to the work – the unexplainable, intangible reaction I had to Alexandre resonates with me every time I return to the sculpture and guided my hand throughout the writing process.
Could you share any specific techniques or musical elements you used to capture the essence of the artwork?
For me, Jonathan’s sculpture has gritty and earthy quality, as if deep currents are forcing their way to their surface and become embodied in his art. I wanted to convey this feeling, creating music which is built on static and monolithic blocks, each layer emerging or juxtaposing against the other like tectonic plates shifting, pushing and pulling the musical landscape in different directions.
