AUSTIN, Texas — Music is defined as sounds combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.
- Artist transforms image of the soundwaves into art
- Musician choose songs for him to work with
- Has worked with Pink Floyd, Elton John, and others
While beauty is often said to be found in the eye of the beholder, one could also say that music is in the ear of the beholder. Everyone experiences something different when they hear a song that moves them. A person does not need to play an instrument or be a famous singer to experience music's power, and an Austin-based artist is proving that.
Tim Wakefield is a visual artist whose lifelong dream has always been to work within the periphery of music. For the last 25 years, he has devoted much of his life to fundraising for causes that support social justice. Twelve years ago, he found a way to live out his lifelong dream by combining art, music and philanthropy to create visionary masterpieces that change the world.
Photo of Tim Wakefield's soundwave art created using Dave Matthews Band's "Crash" (Spectrum News)
The process begins in a music recording studio. Wakefield works with famous musicians and artists who choose one of their songs for Wakefield to work with. The artists, then, choose a lyric that carries meaning to them. Wakefield examines the digital pattern created by the sounds and vocals within the lyric that the artist chooses, and by playing with colors, shapes and designs, he transforms the image of the soundwaves into beautiful artwork.
"I was doing this in the UK with people like Pink Floyd, Elton John, and then I met Gibson Guitars," said Wakefield. "Their foundation saw my work, and they asked me to go and do an auction in Beverley Hills — which was insane. It was like we had this huge showroom in Beverley Hills, and people from all over the world buying, and that really launched Soundwaves on a global scale.”
Before each piece of artwork is complete, Wakefield allows the music artist to autograph the canvas. He, then, donates each piece to be auctioned, and the money raised benefits charities across the globe.
Photo of Tim Wakefield's soundwave art (Spectrum News)
"I think the world is reaching a kind of tipping point with various issues where people have to decide what sort of world they want their children to live in," said Wakefield.
The uniqueness found in Austin and the kinds of people you meet in Texas' capital city is what made the London-native decide six years ago that Austin would be his forever home.
"I think Austin is a perfect example of how people should be," said Wakefield. "It’s a hugely philanthropic town. Everywhere I go, everyone’s doing volunteer work — everyone offers their help."
In the last 12 years, Wakefield has donated around 250 pieces of Soundwaves artwork and has raised more than $2.5 million for charity. As his nonprofit Soundwaves Art Foundation continues to grow, Wakefield remains humble about his generosity.
“I’m not sure that I’m a philanthropist... I mean, I’ve got the best job in the world! People say ‘well done, you’re doing a great job. It’s really not the case," said Wakefield. "It’s people who are working in refugee camps and risking their lives to save other people — I think they're philanthropists."
As Wakefield works on new projects in his East Austin studio, the impact of his work continues to stretch far beyond his own footprint. The artist will tell you it's the music behind everything else that makes the difference.
“Music... it takes you back," said Wakefield. "I think some of the most amazing moments in your life — when you’re growing up, especially — music changes you. It defines a lot of who you are."
Wakefield plans to continue using his art to define who he has become through the power of music — proof that one person can truly make a difference one step — or one soundwave — at a time.
Click here to learn more about Tim Wakefield and the Soundwaves Art Foundation.