''Nature converses through the rhythm of her waves, the birdsong at dawn, the softness of snowfall, the patter of rain drops - losing these sounds were the first signs of my hearing loss. Maybe that's why, on the day that my hearing aids were fitted, I felt overwhelmingly re-connected to the sound of the environment. Environmental sound now informs my practice, particularly in terms of its relationship to humanity, creating sound narratives that increase awareness of preservation & for well being, both for humans and nature.'' ~ Cheryl Beer.  

Cân y Coed - Song of the trees

Cheryl is currently working on an exciting new Commission, collating the biorhythms of four remaining pockets of ancient rainforest in Wales. She will extend access and interpretation of the natural environment by translating them into a virtual sculpture of digital sound, ambience and spectral frequency, using her research and development by re-purposing the bio-medical and electronic technologies that fuel her hearing aids. Through sound, CÂN Y COED re-connects the mycelium web that once united the rainforests of Wales, bridging the gap between soil and the digital world to raise awareness of our fragile eco-history and why it is important to preserve it.

Sound Waves

Cheryl was part of a Research, Development & Mentor Program with Addo Creative Consultancy funded by The Arts Council of Wales. Her research widened access to the natural world by exploring ways of bringing sound waves and spectral frequency as contemporary art into the public realm. For More Details CLICK HERE.

Walk 19 Cerdded

Cheryl was supported by the Arts Council of Wales National Lottery Good Causes, to create Dementia Friendly Environmental Sound Maps for Sound Memories Radio, helping older people stay connected to a sense of identity by creating nature narratives of their favourite walks. She trained a team of 5 Sound Artists & communicated through digital media with Care Homes throughout South & South West Wales. There was a series of 8 Online Exhibition access points that attracted over 12,000 viewers.

Singing with Dolphins

As part of her prestigious Individual Award (now known as Creative Wales Award) from the Arts Council of Wales, Cheryl joined the Marine Wildlife Research team at New Quay, West Wales, sailing with them to record the whistles & echolocation of Dolphins. She then created a live soundscape to inspire poetry & song in response, performing the piece at The National Botanic Garden of Wales. 

From Wool to Weave

Cheryl developed a Sound Map of Rural West Wales, funded by Carmarthenshire County Council, as a resource for older people from farms now living in sterile care home environments and cut off from rural life. From Wool to Weave was one of 8 films produced by Cheryl.

Fall of the 3rd

During her residency for the Dragon Tree, Cheryl found that Elgar had written his Welsh idiom at Llangrannog. Whilst listening to the tides, he imagined he could hear a choir in the distance and it gave him the inspiration for his piece 'Introduction and Allegro for Strings' using the fallen third. Playing the score on an old gramophone at  Llangrannog beach, Cheryl recorded the arrangement with different tides, to contextualise his inspiration.

Aboriginal Rain

Cheryl was joined in her studio by Didgeridoo player, Tim Shaw for an an experimental piece, combining ethnomusicology &  environmental sound. The didgeridoo is more than 1,500 years old & was considered a rain maker. Cheryl recorded rain across the seasons & chanted an ancient mantra. Aboriginal Rain is 1 of 5 pieces composed for the project, combining traditional instruments with the elements.

Many Flowers : One Sun

Whilst writing poetry about the sunflowers at Rhossili to feature on the National Trust website, Cheryl made an accompanying soundscape in the field, overlooking the sea.