Reviews
Karen Monid brought intellectual rigour and creative vision to the work created for two of our sites – Cliffords Tower and Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens [English Heritage]. Her work is grounded in detailed historical research, offering visitors an evocative and resonant way to engage with place. Artistically compelling and publicly enriching, Karen’s work demonstrates the power of sound to animate heritage with depth, nuance, and emotional resonance.
Ruth Haycock, Museum and Heritage Consultant
Karen creates pieces that are accessible to modern audiences. She understands sound not only as atmosphere, but as a means to hold an audience in a moment, to guide their emotional and imaginative experience, and enhance their understanding.
Dr. Eleanor Barraclough, BBC presenter, historian, author and senior lecturer, Bath Spa University
It has been a delight to work with Karen over the last ten years or so. In partnership with Ross Ashton, they have created a series of cutting edge light shows in York Minster starting with the extraordinary ‘Northern Lights’. This used imagery from the recently restored Great East Window brought to life by evocative and meticulously researched soundscapes created by Karen. Most recently, ‘Phoenix’ vividly recaptured the extraordinary efforts to save York Minster from the devastating 1984 fire. Everyone who saw the shows was entranced by the richness and quality of the performances. Totally outstanding!
Diana Terry, Events Manager, York Minster Fund
Karen Monid builds extraordinary soundscapes. I have enjoyed her work at light festivals across the UK and experienced firsthand Karen creating work for our festivals; witnessing how her research and influences come into play in the final pieces she creates, which are always textured and beguiling. The countless hours she spends finessing her compositions always results in something enthralling and wonderfully inventive.
Brigitte Orasinski, Artistic Director, Strange Cargo
Karen’s work provokes delight, surprise, and wonder (at all ages), but is also thoughtprovoking and ruminative. The fuller and richer process of collaboration also mean that the final product is, more often than not, the start of the next collaboration.
Prof. Giles Gasper, Historian and Deputy Executive Dean (Research), Durham University