A new exhibition in London, titled "House of Music," explores the profound impact of music on the paintings of Scottish-born artist Peter Doig. Hosted at the Serpentine Galleries, the show is the first to directly connect Doig's artistic process with the soundtracks he uses in his studio. Visitors can experience his art alongside a continuous musical accompaniment drawn from his personal vinyl collection, offering a unique sensory experience.
Key Takeaways
- Peter Doig's "House of Music" exhibition is at London's Serpentine Galleries.
- The show focuses on music's influence on Doig's painting process.
- It features a continuous soundtrack from Doig's 300-album vinyl collection.
- Special guest musicians will perform live sets on Sundays.
- The exhibition runs through February 8.
Connecting Sound and Vision in Doig's Work
The exhibition, open until February 8, aims to provide a deeper understanding of Doig's artistic world. For decades, Doig has worked with music playing in his studio, a practice central to his creative routine. This show makes that private experience public, allowing viewers to engage with his paintings through both sight and sound.
According to exhibition organizers, this is the first time Doig has explicitly incorporated a continuous musical element into a public display of his work. The selected tracks come directly from his extensive vinyl collection, which includes approximately 300 albums. This curated soundtrack offers insights into the artist's auditory inspiration.
The relationship between music and visual art is a long-standing theme in art history. Artists often draw inspiration from other creative forms. Doig's exhibition highlights this connection in a direct and immersive way, moving beyond theoretical discussions to a tangible experience for the audience.
Exhibition Details
- Artist: Peter Doig
- Exhibition Title: House of Music
- Location: Serpentine Galleries, London
- Dates: October 13, 2025 – February 8, 2026
- Unique Feature: Continuous soundtrack from artist's vinyl collection
The Artist's Process: Music in the Studio
Peter Doig, known for his distinctive figurative paintings, splits his time among Trinidad, Canada, and Britain. His artistic output reflects these diverse geographical influences. Regardless of location, music remains a constant companion in his studio. He often paints to various genres, with country music being a current favorite.
The exhibition includes a 1950s wooden Klangfilm Euronor speaker, prominently placed to play the chosen music. This vintage equipment underscores the authentic experience Doig seeks to replicate. It also visually connects the auditory component with the physical space of the gallery, merging the past and present.
Visitors to the Serpentine Galleries can see how Doig's paintings, which often feature figures like roller skaters, might be perceived differently when experienced with the artist's preferred musical backdrop. The interplay of visual and auditory elements can create a more holistic and engaging encounter with the artwork.
"Lend your ears to music, open your eyes to painting, and … stop thinking!"
Historical Context of Art and Music
The idea of combining music and visual art is not new. Throughout history, artists have explored the synesthetic relationship between different sensory experiences. Wassily Kandinsky, a Russian painter from the early 20th century, was a notable proponent of this concept.
In 1911, Kandinsky, whose abstract works often bore titles reminiscent of musical compositions, encouraged viewers to engage with art on a deeper, more intuitive level by integrating sound and sight. His philosophy resonates with the immersive approach taken in Doig's "House of Music" exhibition.
This historical perspective adds depth to Doig's contemporary exploration. It shows that artists have long sought ways to break down the barriers between different art forms, aiming for a more complete sensory and emotional engagement from their audience.
Synesthesia in Art
Synesthesia is a neurological phenomenon where stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. In art, this often refers to artists who perceive colors when they hear music, or shapes when they taste food. Many artists intentionally explore the metaphorical connections between senses in their work.
Engaging the Audience with Special Events
Beyond the continuous soundtrack, the "House of Music" exhibition will feature live programming. Every Sunday, special guest musicians will perform their own sets of influential tracks. These live events offer another dimension to the exhibition, introducing new auditory experiences alongside Doig's art.
This interactive element is designed to enhance visitor engagement. It provides a dynamic component to the static nature of paintings, creating a living, evolving exhibition space. The guest performances ensure that the musical experience remains fresh and varied throughout the exhibition's run.
The decision to include live music underscores the central role of sound in this particular show. It transforms the gallery into a space where art is not just seen, but also heard and felt, aligning with the exhibition's goal of exploring a multisensory artistic experience.
The Significance of Peter Doig's Work
Peter Doig is recognized as a significant figure in contemporary painting. His works often feature dreamlike landscapes and figures, drawing from personal memories, photographs, and film stills. His unique style blends realism with abstraction, creating evocative and often melancholic scenes.
Doig's paintings frequently depict themes of solitude, reflection, and the human relationship with nature. The addition of music to his exhibition provides a new lens through which to interpret these themes, potentially revealing deeper emotional layers that were previously only hinted at in his visual art.
The "House of Music" exhibition is expected to attract a wide audience, including art enthusiasts and those interested in the intersection of different creative disciplines. It offers a rare opportunity to delve into the artistic mind of a celebrated painter, exploring the unseen and unheard inspirations behind his iconic works.
Artist Background
- Born: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Residences: Trinidad, Canada, Britain
- Artistic Style: Figurative, often dreamlike landscapes and figures
- Influences: Personal memories, photographs, film, and now, explicitly, music
The exhibition serves as a testament to the power of cross-disciplinary inspiration. It encourages viewers to consider how various forms of art can enrich and inform one another, ultimately leading to a more profound and multifaceted aesthetic experience. By presenting Doig's paintings alongside his personal soundtrack, the Serpentine Galleries offers a fresh perspective on his artistic journey.