Composed In Light

Media Release

Date: 6 June 2012

Composed In Light

On the anniversary of Douglas Lilburn’s death (6 June 2001), photographer Gareth Watkins is delighted to announce the completion of a portrait collection inspired by one of New Zealand’s most distinguished composers.

In celebration of Douglas’s extraordinary influence on New Zealand music, Gareth set out in 2011 to document fifteen prominent and up-and-coming local composers.

The selection of participants took place in consultation with SOUNZ - The Centre for New Zealand Music, the Wallace Arts Trust and the Lilburn Trust.

The collection was generously funded by the two Trusts. “The support of the Wallace Arts Trust and the Lilburn Trust has allowed a significant body of work to be created that documents and celebrates composers in New Zealand”, says Gareth.

The composers in the collection include: John Psathas, Anthony Ritchie, Chris Adams, Gillian Whitehead, Eve de Castro-Robinson, Jack Body, Leonie Holmes, Victoria Kelly, Ross Harris, Robbie Ellis, Karlo Margetic, Claire Cowan, Philip Norman, John Ritchie, Alex Taylor and Lyell Cresswell.

“The majority of the composers were established practitioners, with a selection of up-and-coming composers completing the body of work”, says Gareth. “It was delightful to be able to spend time with such creative and inspiring people.”

The portraits were all shot in situ and concentrated on the relationship between the composers and their surroundings. All of the images, along with audio interviews, are now available online and may be used for publicity or educational purposes.

The images can be viewed at: artist.org.nz

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