Nestled on the campus of the University of East Anglia in Norwich, the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts is a gem of modern design and artistic curation. Known for its unique architecture—famously featured as the Avengers facility in Marvel’s Age of Ultron—the museum offers a cinematic sense of scale and awe. Walking into its aircraft-hangar-like interior, you’re struck by the seamless fusion of art, light, and space.
I was on location to both document and experience SoundEscapes, an innovative project connecting art and music in an unprecedented way. Developed in collaboration with Sound and Music, the project celebrates 10 outstanding composers and their original compositions, inspired by specific works from the museum’s collection. These compositions capture the essence of artworks spanning 6,000 years of human creativity, from ancient artifacts to modern masterpieces.
Striding into the building, the first thing that caught my eye was the impressive 40-foot digital billboard. It showcased rotating images of the composers alongside the artworks that inspired their pieces. Seeing these artists’ names up in lights must have been a surreal and proud moment for them. The modern design of the museum, both inside and out, perfectly complemented the innovative spirit of SoundEscapes.
The Sainsbury Centre’s collection is a breathtaking celebration of human creativity, spanning millennia. Its intelligently curated displays guide visitors through a journey of art and culture, with spacious monochrome interiors providing a minimalist backdrop to the vibrant pieces. You could easily spend an entire day exploring the collection—and still feel like you’ve only scratched the surface.
But my focus this particular evening was the SoundEscapes launch event. Tasked with capturing moments from the event, I darted around photographing the artworks, the composers, and the atmosphere. Soon, the speeches began.
Jago Cooper, Director of the Sainsbury Centre, set the tone with an impassioned speech about how music transforms the museum experience. He likened it to a film soundtrack—without music, even the most visually stunning scenes feel incomplete. Will Dutta, CEO of Sound and Music, celebrated the partnership with Sainsbury Centre and echoed Jago’s sentiments, emphasising the long-standing relationship between visual art and musical expression.
The evening was punctuated by live performances from some of the project’s composers. Momoko Gill delivered a mesmerising vocal performance for her piece created with Matthew Herbert and Ella Kay for ‘Head of a Woman’, Meduulla brought a powerful spoken-word exploration to the ‘Ceremonial Bow-Stand’, and Tamsin Elliot played the accordion, evoking the spirit of Ossip Zadkine’s ‘The Accordion Player’. These performances not only showcased the incredible talent of the composers but also offered a display of the emotional depth of their work.
After mingling with guests, composers, and staff, I finally took a moment to immerse myself in the art and music. Nine of the ten SoundEscapes compositions were located inside the building, each paired with headphones placed next to the corresponding artwork. The tenth, by Midori Komachi, inspired by the ‘Usagi Kannon’ sculpture by Leiko Ikemura, had to wait as Storm Darragh was blocking my blessings.
Listening to these compositions was like stepping into an imaginative realm where the artist’s vision and the composer’s interpretation met. Each piece of music seemed to unlock new layers of meaning within the artwork, creating a dialogue between sound and sight. It was a deeply emotional and intellectual experience, a reminder of music’s ability to convey what words often can’t.
What struck me most was the musical intelligence behind these compositions. Each one was a journey—dreamy and evocative, reflecting the style of its creator, yet universally resonant. Much like a film score that intuitively communicates joy, sorrow, or suspense, these pieces elevated the artworks, giving them new dimensions of life and emotion.
We often rely on written descriptions to guide our understanding of art in museums, but these can only tell part of the story. The addition of music provided a richer, more immersive experience, bridging the gap between what we see and what we feel. I was profoundly moved by the composers’ ability to transform beautiful yet static artworks into something transcendent and spiritual.
Words can only go so far in capturing the magic of SoundEscapes. I encourage you to visit the Sainsbury Centre in person to fully appreciate this groundbreaking project. If you can’t make it to Norwich, you can still experience the compositions through the Smartify app. Either way, prepare to be transported into a world where art and music come together in perfect harmony.
Composers and Works
Listen to all the inspired works from SoundEscapes:
- Matthew Herbert Ft. Momoko Gill and Ella Kay | Head of a Woman, Amedeo Modigliani
- Ed Macfarlane | Study (Imaginary Portrait of Pope Pius XII), Francis Bacon
- Melanie Wilson | Old Maids, Leonora Carrington
- Marcus Joseph | We Mask, Cote d’lvoire
- Midori Komachi | Usagi Kannon, Leiko Ikemura
- Tamsin Elliot | The Accordion Player, Ossip Zadkine
- Meduulla | Ceremonial Bow-Stand, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- t l k | Baby Asleep, Jacob Epstein
- Eva | Discs in Echelon, Version 2, Barbara Hepworth
- Diego | Diagonal Cut, Günther Uecker
Learn more about SoundEscapes
Listen to the works via Smartify
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