Serge Vuille, Nefeli Skarmea and Evelyn Shlomowitz
Knock Knock, Evelyn who? © Tate
Knock Knock, Evelyn who? is a radio show presented by 11-year-old Evelyn Shlomowitz, sometimes live and at other times as a sound installation over a weekend at Tate Britain. She also has a few adults helping her too, curator Nefeli Skarmea and composer Serge Vuille. It’s all very exciting!
Evelyn will chat with artists over the weekend and will ask her own questions about what makes them tick. However now it’s time for Tate Kids to ask Evelyn a few questions of our own!
Hi Evelyn, We love all artists at Tate Kids, but do you have a favourite?
Hmm that’s hard. I really like Martin Creed, who I’ll be interviewing, and I really like René Magritte. One of my favourite artworks by Magritte is Empire of Light.
René Magritte Empire of Light (L’empire des lumières) 1953-54 © Herscovici, London/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Cool. Art means lots of different things to different people. What does art mean to you?
I think it's a way of expressing yourself. You might have an idea behind the art you have made, but it's also about letting people have their own opinion about it.
I like all forms of art, from cinema to books. I read a lot of Jacqueline Wilson and I really love Hitchcock films.
Evelyn on a visit to Tate Britain looking at Olafur Eliasson: Turner colour experiments © Nefeli Skarmea
Creativity is important when making art. How do you stay creative?
I do lots of art projects at school and I am currently writing an adventure novel and poems at home. I also play the violin and the horn. I also like running events, including my little sister's recent birthday party.
What was the last art project you made?
At school we've been doing a project about African masks from Benin in Nigeria. We have been looking at the animals on the masks and the different meanings the symbols have.
Sounds cool. Your parents are musicians. What do you think are the similarities and differences between music and art?
With music, unless there is a title, you have to imagine what it is about and what it looks like, but with art (like with sculptures or paintings) you can see what it's about more easily.
You do lots of things outside of school! Do you know what you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a social worker but write books and poems on the side. My friend is, and grandmother was one, so they are my inspiration.
Testing! Testing! Evelyn in action! © Nefeli Skarmea
We are excited to hear your radio show, is this your first time on the radio?
Yes, this is my first time. So far I've learnt how to use the microphone and record players, which was really fun. I'm looking forward to see what other people have to say. I'm really hoping that other kids come and ask their own questions too!
