I Circle Around the Studio: Collaboration of Women Audio Artists

In March 2019 Wind & Sky Productions producer Lucinda Horrocks created a soundscape in collaboration with composer/performer George Williams and vocalist Sharon Turley.

Recorded, created and performed by women, ‘I Circle Around the Studio’ explores the multilayered experience of women as artists.

Detail of Renovator, a digital drawing on paper by the artist Domestic Punk. Part of the Women’s Work Exhibition 2019.

A unique hybrid of documentary practice with funky, stylish composition, the sound work was installed in 2019 as part of an exhibition of women artists called ‘Women’s Work.’

Each artist was recorded and interviewed by Lucinda Horrocks who created a series of audio vignettes which were augmented and transformed by George William’s inspired compositions.

As gallery visitors wandered through the exhibition the voices of the ‘Women’s Work’ artists, combined with layers of music, rhythm, sound and song, followed them in the two-roomed space.

The effect was an immersion in the strength of women’s voices and a celebration of the passion, frustration, sadness, joy, humour and doubt in art and in life.

‘I Circle Around the Studio’ is now online and free to listen to and share.

Listen to the Soundscape

Full 42 Minute Version

Listen to the entire version on SoundCloud here:

Segment 1: When I’m In the Zone I Challenge Michelangelo/ Proverbs 31.10 – 31.31 – 7 minutes

In this segment (below) textile and visual artist Heather Horrocks (Lucinda’s mother) talks about life, art, work, ageing and womanhood. Wrapped around Heather’s words is the extraordinary composition ‘Proverbs 31.10 – 31.31’, performed by soprano Sharon Turley, which was inspired Heather’s reading of the biblical proverb in her audio interview. In writing the music George Williams drew on the work of mediaeval composer Hildegard von Bingen for inspiration.

Segment 2: I Could be Anybody/ Hormones – 5 minutes

In this playful segment poet and writer Emma Lea talks about the writing life and reads her poetry after which George Williams performs a funky, powerful, humorous song inspired by Emma’s poem ‘hormones’.

The Collaboration

Lucinda Horrocks, Producer

Lucinda Horrocks is a producer, writer and co-founder of Wind & Sky Productions. Her work with Wind & Sky is characterised by an acceptance of complexity and exploration of documentary narrative.

In ‘I Circle Around the Studio’ Lucinda used her audio recording, mixing and documentary interviewing skills to weave a complex, ambiguous and open story which operates on many levels.

George Williams, Composer

George Williams is a composer, songwriter and performer whose work spans movement, vocal and instrumental improvisation, music education, cross art platforms and community collaborations.

Her compositions for ‘I Circle Around the Studio’ range from funky loop improv, mediaeval choral work and ambient background.

Sharon Turley, Vocalist

Sharon Turley is a classically trained soprano who teaches Vocal Technique and Anatomy at Federation University Arts Academy. She has performed with The State Opera of South Australia, Co-Opera, Bedlam Oz, Various People, and The English Chamber Choir.

In ‘I Circle Around the Studio’ she is the soloist in the piece ‘Proverbs 31.10 – 31.31.’

About the Women’s Work Exhibition

Detail of the embroidered artwork 25 Lines by Amanda Fewell, part of the Women’s Work Exhibition 2019.

Curated by textile artist and co-contributor Amanda Fewell, Women’s Work brought together seven regional Victorian women artists based in the Ballarat area who made new work in response to the theme ‘Women’s Work’.

The exhibition featured text, assemblage, audio, textiles and illustration by the artists Laurene Dietrich, Amanda Fewell, Heather Horrocks, Lucinda Horrocks & George Williams, Emma Lea, Domestic Punk and Kate Vivian.

The artists explored the issues of women and work through representation, celebration, embodiment and analysis, revealing familiar themes in new ways.

The exhibition was hosted by the Art Gallery of Ballarat via the Backspace Gallery local exhibition program.

Exhibition dates: 28 March-14 April 2019, Thursdays-Sundays, 12-4pm, Backspace Gallery, Art Gallery of Ballarat, 15 Camp St Ballarat.

Soundscape Credits

Silk Banners, Drawings Digitally Printed on Silk by Heather Horrocks. Women’s Work Exhibition 2019.

Lucinda Horrocks (producer, recordist, mixer, sound designer), George Williams (composer, performer: piano/guitar/rhythm/loops/vocals, music producer, sound designer), Sharon Turley (vocal soloist ‘Proverbs 31.10 – 31.31’, additional devised vocals ‘I don’t do it like you’re apparently supposed to’). Voices: Kate Vivian, Domestic Punk, Laurene Dietrich, Emma Lea, Heather Horrocks and Amanda Fewell. Additional voices: Minerva Dwyer and Ace Dwyer. Poetry written and read by Emma Lea (‘Hormones’, ‘Leaving Home’). Additional percussion devised and performed by Ella Williams (‘I find it meaningful’, ‘Kitchen percussion’). Music production recording and support: Geoffrey Williams. Audio production mentoring: Jary Nemo.

Individual Tracks Credits

Her Treasures, Assemblage of Objects by Kate Vivian, part of the Women’s Work Exhibition 2019.

I circle around the studio (Intro): Featuring Kate Vivian, Domestic Punk, Laurene Dietrich, Emma Lea and Heather Horrocks. Recorded and produced by Lucinda Horrocks. Music composed, produced and performed (piano/guitar) by George Williams. Recordist Geoffrey Williams.

Embroidering my words: Featuring Amanda Fewell. Recorded and produced by Lucinda Horrocks. Music composed, produced and performed (piano/guitar) by George Williams. Recordist Geoffrey Williams.

I find it meaningful: Featuring Kate Vivian. Recorded and produced by Lucinda Horrocks. Music produced by George Williams with percussion devised and performed by Ella Williams. Recordist Geoffrey Williams.

Kitchen percussion: Music produced by George Williams with percussion devised and performed by Ella Williams. Recordist Geoffrey Williams.

I could be anybody: Featuring Emma Lea. Recorded and produced by Lucinda Horrocks. Poetry written and read by Emma Lea (‘Hormones’, ‘Leaving Home ’).

Poems and Typewriter installation by Emma Lea, part of the Women’s Work Exhibition 2019.

Hormones: Composed by George Williams. Performed (vocals/loops/rhythm) and produced by George Williams. Recording and production support by Geoffrey Williams. Voice grab: Heather Horrocks, recorded by Lucinda Horrocks.

When I’m in the zone I challenge Michelangelo: Featuring Heather Horrocks. Recorded and produced by Lucinda Horrocks. Music composed and produced by George Williams inspired by Hildegard von Bingen. Lyrics from the King James Bible. Vocal soloist Sharon Turley. Recording and production support by Geoffrey Williams.

Proverbs 31.10 – 31.31: Composed by George Williams inspired by Hildegard von Bingen. Lyrics from the King James Bible. Vocal soloist Sharon Turley. Produced by George Williams. Recording and production support by Geoffrey Williams.

Women’s Work (Recap): Featuring Heather Horrocks, Amanda Fewell and Laurene Dietrich. Recorded and produced by Lucinda Horrocks. Music composed, produced and performed (piano/guitar) by George Williams. Recordist Geoffrey Williams.

Detail of Dead Beetroot Dress by Laurene Dietrich, part of the Women’s Work Exhibition 2019.

There’s no sacred right to be an artist: Featuring Laurene Dietrich. Recorded and produced by Lucinda Horrocks. Music composed and performed (piano/guitar) by George Williams. Recordist Geoffrey Williams.

Just a chick in a comic: Featuring Domestic Punk, Minerva Dwyer and Ace Dwyer. Recorded and produced by Lucinda Horrocks. Music composed, produced and performed (vocals/loops/rhythm) by George Williams. Recording and production support by Geoffrey Williams.

I don’t do it like you’re apparently supposed to: Music composed, produced and performed (vocals/loops/rhythm) by George Williams with additional devised vocals by Sharon Turley. Recording and production support by Geoffrey Williams.

Piano and guitar (theme song): Music composed, produced and performed (piano/guitar) by George Williams. Recordist Geoffrey Williams.

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