Sound and Music

Visual artist and film-maker, working extensively in the field of free improvised and experimental music and live art both in still photography and video.  Currently completing "Oikos" collaboration with Portuguese vocal artist Manuela Barile. About to start making experimental documentary of the development of "Eye to Eye" large multi art form theatre project by Sheila Hill with original music by Howard Skempton and Byron Wallen. Last year made 12 short film collaborations with musicians for "TAPS - Improvisations with Paul Burwell". A large collaborative project curated by visual artist Anne Bean of many musicians, live artists, pyrotechnicians who worked with Paul Burwell, percussionist, founder member of the London Musician's Collective and member of the Bow Gamelan Ensemble, who died in 2007.  For exhibition at Dilston Grove in association with Matts Gallery in September 2010. See work on www.vimeo.com/helenpetts. Arts Council of England Awards for films "Poleaxed", with original music by Glynn Perrin, and "Man on Point" collaboration with choreographer Mark Baldwin. More personal art practice involves extremely solitary abstract/landscape based work mainly in video and sound. Also occasional painter with work in private collections. Awarded Arts Admin fellowship 2005.   Co-promoter (with guitarist John Russell) of Mopomoso free improvised music night at the Vortex Jazz Club. www.mopomoso.com
Runs Youtube channel - www.youtube.com/helentonic - of free improv concerts and associated art work.
Also work in progress - film of Max Eastley's sound sculptures. (see youtube site).
Former award winning TV producer/director of arts programmes such as BBC2's The Late Show and Channel 4's Without Walls. (Gave up TV to study Fine Art at Goldsmith's College where mainly concentrated on painting.)
Makes DVDs, videos for websites and provides photographic services for musicians and record companies. Designs CD covers and art work.
Experienced teacher, mentor and workshop organiser. Just returned from short contract teaching film-making to post-grad music students and ethnomusicologists at Kathmandu University.  Contact helenpetts@clara.co.uk