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Portrait of the Artist

Documentaries

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Series following young artists who are becoming recognised in their professions.

Series following young artists who are becoming recognised in their professions as they look to take their career to the next level.

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Portrait of the Artist: Series 1

Portrait of the Artist: Series 1: Ayanna Witter-Johnson

Ayanna Witter-Johnson

05/03/2018

Series 1

BBC Radio 4 - Portrait of the Artist, Series 1, Ayanna Witter-Johnson

Musician Ayanna-Witter Johnson talks about her creative life, as she writes a new song.

Musician Ayanna-Witter Johnson talks about her creative life and the challenges of being a young songwriter, cellist and singer.

Starting out in an artistic profession is hard enough - it's a precarious business - you can expect rejection letters and knockbacks, and to be working all night to hit deadlines. But taking the next step in your career can be even more challenging. 

In this new series we spend time with young artists who are becoming recognised in their professions, as they look to take their career to the next level. 

In this edition, we join musician Ayanna-Witter Johnson as she writes a new song, and talks about her creative life. Her music straddles the classical and urban worlds, drawing on different traditions and fusing them. As she writes she reflects on her life as performer, songwriter, 'cellist and singer. She considers what success might be, and explains what keeps her working in an industry in which it can be so difficult to make a living. 

We join her in London, with family, and in search of inspiration. Through being with her as she writes, we get a unique insight into her creative process. 

Photograph of Ayanna Witter-Johnson by Bumi Thomas 

Producer: Melvin Rickarby.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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