Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Satch Hoyt. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Satch, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Afro.-Sonic Mapping, (ASM) Tracing aural histories via sonic transmigrations, Is an ongoing project that was supported by the House Of World Cultures Berlin, in 2017 under the umbrella of their major project titled Questioning The Canon. The research involved was immensely inspiring to be able to have access to the very first phonograph recordings made on the continent of Africa to be able to do the counter journey to Angola and Brasil, investigating the Portuguese colonial narrative they were the first Europeans to sail into the Congo basin in 1483. Looking at the Black Atlantic Middle Passage from a sonic Perspective. the many collaborations and interviews workshops and community activities experienced on the counter journey were beyond inspirational. I hope to be able to do a USA Afro-Sonic Mapping in the not too distant future.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am an artist who made quite an abrupt transition from music to visual arts in 1999 . The transition was made whilst living in Paris where at that time I was composing with Grace Jones, The song which made a major breakthrough for me in that constellation is 7 day Weekend, which is on the triple platinum soundtrack of the film Boomerang staring Eddie Murphy and Grace,
Regarding commercial popular music It was the absolute pinnacle and the peak for me. I j heard the voice inside say you know go ahead, be brave, you can make the change, this was verified by certain artists I had been associating with in Paris and New York in the late 1990’s
Visual artists such as, Ram El Zee, George Condo to name just two. From a very young age I had always drawn, painted and made sculptures but coming from a working class background going to art school was not on the family survival list, in fact i’m self taught in both music and the visual arts. my practice encompasses sculpture painting installations often accompanied by self composed sound.
My work is woke, and very much focused on my theory titled Afro-Sonic Mapping my book Afro-Sonic Mapping Tracing Aural Histories via Sonic Transmigrations was released this summer, on Archive Books Berlin, I am currently based in Berlin. But often travel, for exhibitions and lectures my Sonic Lectures also encompass a sound performance which include ancient African instruments coupled with synthesised sounds.
I will be giving a Afro-Sonic lecture and performance on December 16th at the National Gallery Kingston Jamaica for the closing of “Pressure” which is the title of the current Biennial in which I have a work titled “Kick That”
My paintings function on three levels as cartographic depictions, graphic music scores and cosmic constellations which for some meld into the topic of Afro-futurism. Another branch of Afro-Sonic Mapping is my relatively new project titled Un-Muting.
By gaining access to African antique music instrument collections in ethnographic museums, I form a sonic restitution by simultaneously playing and recording what I play as a real time composition.
These recordings are later taken into a recording studio where other sonic layers are added, arranged, and mixed to create complete compositions. my next two Un-Mutings will happen at The British Museum London UK and the MARKK Museum in Hamburg Germany. The outcome of this project will be a vinyl album an exhibition of paintings and sculptures, performances and possibly a book.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

To encounter individuals artists and communities that I have collaborated with and those that have been impacted by my work who comprehend the fact that I am constantly endeavouring to rewrite the canon.
By telling trans national African diaspora stories thru a different lens, By breaking the molds of convention, and at the same time hold the utmost respect for spiritual and cultural traditions.
To be in an exhibition space and feel the love from the viewers. to know that my work is being acquired by collectors, this is the support which enables me to continue to perform my research and produce my art works.
Art is an exchange of contingent relationships. It is very important for me to know that I am creating an alternative vision for the concerned folx on this planet, This place which is riddled with multiple injustices.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

To aid the planet to rectify heal and repair. the damage colonialism patriarchy white supremacy and imperialism have caused. To be an active component in the endeavour for the creation of new school curriculums.

Contact Info:

• Website: satchhoyt.art
• Instagram: satch hoyt
• Facebook: satch hoyt
• Other: afrosonicmapping.com

Image Credits
Photo credit Trevor Lloyd Morgan, Satch Hoyt