Beguiling artist film responses by Tim Hopkins to new music

Combining live action with painted animation, Four Quartets on Film responds to recordings of magical String Quartets by John Woolrich, Judith Weir, Joe Cutler and Helen Grime – previously screened to acclaim at Aldeburgh Festival 2023. 

Includes interval Q and A with film maker Tim Hopkins

23 May 2026

Lewes Depot

Four Quartets on Film

Visual artist Tim Hopkins was approached by John Woolrich in late 2020, asking him to create a response to his string quartet “Kleine Wanderung”. Tim recorded various studies he created in Paris, using paint on clear acrylic plates and sheets.

As the film evolved, he noticed a pattern relating to the action of string playing – abrasions between layers over time. Responses to the film encouraged him to make three more with quartets by Judith Weir, Joe Cutler and Helen Grime.