Gabriel Walker
Musical Scores
for
performing, visual, and literary arts
since 1983
Bio
Since 1983, I’ve created music and sound design for the performing, visual, and literary arts. I thrive in multicultural, multidisciplinary collaborations, instinctively blending diverse art forms into cohesive works. Guided by synesthesia, I draw on influences ranging from the orchestral water colours of Takemitsu and the tear-jerkers of Puccini, to the completely other soundscapes of Amon Tobin. I’m inspired by jazz, global music, film scores, and have a particular love for the human voice. My creative instinct is shaped by a lifelong interest in shamanism, alchemy, theatre, poetry, painting, and dance.I hold an MFA in Theatre from Towson University, where I explored the intersection of alchemy, shamanism, and theatre. As a Towson adjunct, I led a workshop at an international theatre conference in Rajasthan, India, and co-led a week-long workshop at the University of Rajasthan. I also hold an Inter-Arts BA from Naropa Institute, blending Music, Theatre, and Transpersonal Psychology. At Naropa, I participated in a study abroad program in Bali, studying gamelan, dance, language, and culture.
VIDEO
THEATRE
A Christmas Carol
Actors Theatre LouisvilleGALLERY INSTALLATION
The Dance
Tim Faulkner Gallery LouisvilleREFUGEE STORIES
Lost Boys
KRM We Create Festival Louisville
AUDIO
Four Thousand Survivors
Theo Dorgan / Gabriel Walker
(From the Ancestors: Poems & Prayers for Future Generations)Alas for Man
Bengt Bjorkland / Gabriel Walker
(From the Ancestors: Poems & Prayers for Future Generations)White Clouds
Gabriel WalkerLaura
David Raskin
(Arranged, Played, Sound designed by Gabriel for Spark Theatre, Denver)Sorry (for Rhonda)
Julie Easely / Gabriel Walker
(From the Ancestors: Poems & Prayers for Future Generations)Way of the Heart
Ron Whitehead / Gabriel Walker
(The Way of the Heart: Old Age Suite in 4 Movements)
ARTIST STATEMENT
Opposing elements in relation to a neutral medium create a third thing—inclusive yet independent of each force. One color wraps around another to create a third color in our brain. Opposing charges power our world along a ground wire. You and I are the result of egg and sperm nuclei interacting with a mitotic spindle. The world arises from the interplay of mediated opposition.Conversely, a lightning strike is the explosive release of conflicting polar charges seeking neutral ground. What is a war?As an artist in the 21st Century, I believe it is critical to understand and engage with this process.I make music and sound in response to visual, literary, and performance stimuli. Each collaboration is a mutual release of creative energy in relation to a common purpose; a shared intention. The third-stream result is what the audience experiences. The interaction between audience and art creates a unique third-stream experience within each person.Creation is mediation. We are a polarized world. Can the arts contain polarized ideologies and direct their energy toward a common purpose?
ENDORSEMENTS
RON WHITEHEAD
POET-WRITER-AUTHOR-EDITOR-PUBLISHER-SCHOLAR-ACTIVIST
"Gabriel Walker is the creative maestro who quilted The
Dance by Ron Whitehead and Glass Eye Ensemble featuring Sheri
Streeter. The Dance included photography, paintings, music videos, live
performances, and a sonaBLAST! Records release of the soundtrack
album. The art installation opened to a packed house at the Tim
Faulkner Gallery in February 2019. Over the past decades I have been
blessed to work with some of the best creative artists in the world. I
place Gabriel Walker right there with the best. It was an honor to
work with him. I will be happy to collaborate with him on any creative
project. Gabriel Walker is a rare treasure."MARGARET ARCHAMBAULT
CO-OWNER, DIRECTOR-CURATOR & ARTIST AT
TIM FAULKNER GALLERY LOUISVILLE, KY
"My experience with Gabriel Walker was both rewarding personally as
an artist and impressive as a gallery owner. His personal attention to executing
a soundtrack that accurately depicted my personal vision for my solo show
“In Tens: A Single Century to Live” still resonates with me
today. His desire to create an all-encompassing experience for guests
who attended the show, made it one of the best exhibitions I’ve had to date.
In addition...Gabriel was instrumental to the development of and installation of
another show “The Dance." This multi-disciplined show combined the work
of multiple artists (both visual & musical) into one cohesive experience.
Once again his expertise and desire to use all of his abilities made
“The Dance” another successful and memorable exhibition.
Bottom line, if Gabriel contacts me with an idea, I would not hesitate
to ink it into my calendar and start inviting my most important clients."JARED ZARANTONELLO
NEW MEDIA AND CULTURE COORDINATOR
KENTUCKY REFUGEE MINISTRIES
"I’ve had the pleasure and honor to collaborate with Gabriel on a
variety of arts and culture programming… Not only has he collaborated
with us as an accomplished artist but also supported us in providing key
insight and perspective in designing program structure and direction…
Gabriel not only brought a high level of professionalism and quality to
our programming, but also a sincere intentionality to learn from and
about others through their cultural and artistic expression.
Gabriel has a genuine penchant for cross-cultural learning. He is
one of those rare personalities who both commands a wealth of
cultural knowledge yet still approaches new cultural interactions
and opportunities to learn and listen with the openness and
humility of a student. Our organization and our community have
already been enriched by Gabriel’s contributions."JULIE EASELY
UK POET
" ‘From the Ancestors’ is a beautiful project and one I am honoured to
be part of. Giving my poem over to be scored was an exciting and nervous journey,
‘Sorry (for Rhonda)’ is my most cherished, defining poem,
and speaks a truth of lived experience that some choose not to see.
Ron and Gabriel treat my words with a respect and care that is
life affirming, and made the whole process joyous. To hear my spoken
words with Gabriel’s enchanting and beautiful score, the time and
care he took to lift the poem to a different place, means everything to me.
Listening to the final edit brought tears to my eyes, and a warmth to
my heart, to know that Gabriel considered every word, to know that
creativity can heal and connect.
Thank you Ron and Gabriel for this wonderful opportunity to
contribute to the Kentucky Refugee Ministries, and bringing together
this inspirational, collaborative work.