Audio art: Utterly in the picture
- Tuesday, 17 March 2026
- Tuesday, 14 April 2026
Free
Places are available on a first come, first served basis with priority given to blind and partially sighted visitors.
Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome.
Please view our Access page for more information.
About
These sessions combine a detailed audio description of a Gallery painting, led by Gallery Educators Katy Tarbard with a new piece of music, composed and performed by cellist Nina Plapp.
These sessions have been designed for blind and partially sighted visitors, but we welcome everyone to experience paintings on this multi-dimensional level.
Sessions are held seated in front of the painting. Please meet in the advertised room or meet 15 minutes before the start of the talk at the Getty Entrance to be guided to the room. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome.
To discuss any additional access requirements, please email: [email protected]
Join Gallery Educator Fiona Alderton and composer Nina Plapp for an immersive audio description of Artemisia Gentileschi’s Self-Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria, brought to life with live cello and lute accompaniment.
Join Gallery Educator Katy Tarbard and composer Nina Plapp for an audio description of J.M.W. Turner’s The Fighting Temeraire, accompanied by an original musical composition that bring the painting’s fading light and quiet drama to life.
Fiona Alderton
Fiona Alderton is a Gallery Educator and storyteller. With a background in performing, she writes and gives sessions for adults and children, including commissions for various organisations such as the National Portrait Gallery, Dulwich Picture Gallery, and the Royal Opera House in London.
Katy Tarbard
Katy Tarbard has over 20 years of teaching and programming experience in gallery education departments, working to connect visitors of all ages with their love of artworks. Her areas of interest include the history of the National Gallery Collection and its methods of display. Her favourite artists include Titian, Turner and Van Gogh.
Nina Plapp
Nina Plapp is a composer and cellist from the UK; she studied Cello Performance at Trinity College of Music (LABAN) London. She composes for theatre, dance and mixed media projects and has had her music performed in the USA, China and the UK. She is the winner of the 'journey of a lifetime award' and produced a radio documentary for the BBC charting her musical adventure, exploring the music heritage of gypsy communities from Rajasthan to Romania.
Nina has performed with major international artists including Rox, Angie Brown (Fatboy Slim, Bizzare inc.) Alison David (Red Snapper), supported The Charlatans and The Flaming Lips, and was a regular player for Tam Wing Lun on his stadium tours.
Nina has also performed her music live on Midweek (BBC Radio 4) and composes for her own folk band 'Blue Slipper Music' who can be heard on BBC introducing.