GARY WILKINSON
Gary Wilkinson is a multidisciplinary artist using audio and visuals to describe subjects and stories from the former mining communities he grew up in.
He creates classical compositions by collaging together classical pieces from composers such as Tchaikovsky and Brahms to create new music. Wilkinson allows accidents and randomness to play a part in his compositions, reclaiming and reimagining public domain classical music to tell working class stories.
Wilkinson often uses gigs to display his work, through audio visual performances which he has delivered thoughout the UK.
His audio work has been released on a number of labels most notably Industrial Coast.
His work has also been displayed in galleries including two solo gallery shows and supported on a number of ocassions by the Arts Council.
BLACK HOLE
Following the 1984/85 miners strike, the mining communities found themselves in a socio-political-economic BLACK HOLE, the effects of which lead to their disintegration. The strike and subsequent pit closures had a profound and lasting impact, leading to widespread unemployment, social deprivation and a decline in community spirit. The social inequality in these left-behind areas brought a loss of identity, mental health issues and alcohol fuelled violence. Generations who were born and bred to work down the mines faced an uncertain future of life on the dole, the economic hardship of which would lead some down the path of criminality. The once powerful voice of the mineworkers was lost, and in a divisive political environment, these staunchly left wing areas that previously had strength in their unity, began to fracture and move towards the right.
Album available information to follow
BOTOX/COLLAGEN/SILICONE
An exploration of aesthetic beauty treatments and the relationship we have with our bodies and appearance.
The piece looks at the fragility of the human condition both physical and mental and what forms our interpretation of beauty. The role of social media and the exploitation of people in areas of low income and low self esteem. Considering the ageing process and the passing of time which writes itself all over our bodies and taking a sympathetic view of the minute details of our appearance that we obsess over.
ALCOHOL FUELLED VIOLENCE
I’m always in the market for a curio and they don’t get much more curious than this. Put together by an Ashington lad this is nothing less than a symphonic experience that has been created using cut-ups, layers and loops of public domain classical pieces. It tells the story of what happenbed to his brother, and deals with Asperger syndrome, epilepsy, violence in socially dprived areas, NHS surgery, loss and atonement. It’s in turn moving, strident and deeply affecting and it won me over from the get-go.
The Crack magazine
“Great night listening to Gary Wilkinson’s beautiful Alcohol Fuelled Violence. Absolutely gripping!”
Mary Wilson, Choral Manager, Royal Northern Sinfonia
FIXED ODDS BETTING TERMINALS
Work with what you’ve got they said, and Gary Wilkinson went off and made ‘FIXED ODDS BETTING TERMINALS//Piano Sonata’ out of cut-ups, bits and bobs of Chopin, Rachmaninov and other public domain classical music recordings. Exploring the intensity and loneliness of a gambler in the grip of addiction, loops and sudden stabs of piano swirl threateningly and the whole effect creates a cold, unsentimental empathy with its protagonist. It could so easily be a smug one-liner but Wilkinson is adept at applying the tragic and ennobling quality of orchestral music to his subject.
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