Stewart Lane

I am an interdisciplinary artist working across music, performance, song poetics, cultural activism, and short filmmaking. My artistic identity is deeply intertwined with my parallel career as an organisational development consultant, where I apply neuroscientific insights to transform systems and practices. As a neurodivergent individual and a Queer man, my creative work is shaped by themes of neurodiversity, divergency, equality, and inclusion. These are not just personal experiences; they form the foundation for the conversations I aim to spark through my art.

At the heart of my practice is a commitment to exploring the therapeutic, trans-dimensional, and consciousness-expanding potentials of art. My own divergency has often positioned me at odds with conventional systems, yet music has always been my anchor, offering meaning, connection, and a way to navigate the world. I believe divergency is not an anomaly, but a spectrum—one that holds immense creative potential. When society limits this spectrum, it loses out on a vast pool of creativity, insight, and contribution. My work seeks to bring this into focus and highlight the value of divergency in both artistic and societal contexts.

 

As a self-taught composer, my music spans a diverse range of genres, from contemporary classical to electronica and experimental indie pop. I formed the alternative cabaret act, BAL, in 1989, which garnered recognition, including an Edinburgh Fringe Award in 1992. Over the years, I have composed for various settings, including film and theatre, with performances and commissions supported by organizations like the Holst Foundation, Foundation for Sports and the Arts, and Greater London Arts. My compositions include works for chamber orchestra (e.g., Station 12, Signs of Passing, Arcanum), sonatas for cello, violin, and saxophone, handbells, 8 string quartets, and numerous vocal and choral pieces.

Through my diverse practice, I continue to challenge the boundaries of how music, performance, and activism can intersect. I aim to create work that invites reflection on the intersections of identity, systems, and societal expectations, while emphasizing the power of collaboration and inclusivity.

​

​

 

In 2022/23, I embarked on a series of short films that featured neurodiverse performers, creating a powerful visual accompaniment to some of my music tracks. This series was an exploration of divergency, identity, and the transformative power of collaboration. One of the standout pieces from the series, Night Vertigo, received significant recognition, winning 9 film festival awards, including Best Sound Design and Best Black & White Film, and was screened internationally at 13 festivals.

Another film in the series, A Mouthful of Aqueducts, also garnered critical acclaim, winning 9 international film awards. I Diverge, a documentary that delves into the neurodiverse experiences of the performers and the behind-the-scenes making of the videos, received 3 awards, underscoring the importance of sharing the voices and stories of neurodivergent individuals.

My 2016 film, For The Birds, which blends my music and visual art practices, won Best Music Video at the Paris Film Awards, further solidifying my commitment to creating works that not only explore personal and collective narratives but also challenge perceptions around neurodiversity and creative expression.

These films reflect my dedication to using my art as a platform for cultural activism, and they serve as a means of amplifying the voices of those whose experiences are often underrepresented in mainstream media. By showcasing neurodiverse performers, I aim to shift the narrative around divergency, offering a space for people to see the richness and potential that exists within these experiences.

​​

​

​

​

​​

My 2024 album releases:

NIGHT LETTERS  for solo piano, performed by Jelena Makarova released April 2024

 

 

 

WE ARE ALL HERE (Soprano, Mezzo, Cello, Piano, Guitar, Keyboards) which originated from a commission from artist Eric Fong. Released on December 4th 2024 with five short films set to music from the album, premiered at London's Close-Up Cinema, Shoreditch.

​

​

​

​