There are many strings to sound artist James Pinker's bow. As well as being a highly experienced producer and sound engineer, he has worked as a photographer and videographer, and is currently gallery manager of Two Rooms in Auckland. He has lent his skills as a percussionist to bands such as The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Pogues and Dead Can Dance, and has played on albums with Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn and Michael Brook. James is also a contributor to The Holiwater Project, an international collective of musicians and visual artists.There are many strings to sound artist James Pinker's bow. As well as being a highly experienced producer and sound engineer, he has worked as a photographer and videographer, and is currently gallery manager of Two Rooms in Auckland. He has lent his skills as a percussionist to bands such as The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Pogues and Dead Can Dance, and has played on albums with Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn and Michael Brook. James is also a contributor to The Holiwater Project, an international collective of musicians and visual artists.What is the best moment of the day?
The waking moment realising that I am next to my wahine, Lisa.

What is your earliest memory of art?
Painting freely as a five-year-old on the backyard gate right next to the house. Red paint my dad Frank gave me, with a huge brush I could barely control. Much later, to the horror of my parents, I was caught painting a jogger running past the house and then the trunk of a very old plain tree on the verge.

How would your best friend describe your aesthetic?
Sharp (individual dresser, or so I'm told!), clean lines - modernist.

Who has inspired you recently?
Niki Hastings-McFall, Tom Bailey, Slavoj Zizek.

What place is with you wherever you go?
Karekare + Maketu + Ruatoki.

What was the best thing about performing in The Holiwater Project in India over summer?
Remembering that the amazing music and art whanau we have all created was stronger than ever and that playing these great raga was like riding a bike!

What is the best way to listen to music?
Live - in the open air wherever possible - under a tree on my back, in the summer.

What's the unique concept behind Two Rooms Gallery?
Commitment to excellence and an international focus.

What's the best thing about bringing foreign artists to New Zealand?
A dialogue that is created quite spontaneously and unpredictably.

What project to date are you the most proud of?
My son who is now 20.

What's your number one business tip?
Stay focused and don't listen to the knockers - but accept criticism if you believe it is well intentioned.

What's your advice for emerging New Zealand visual artists?
100% commitment is only just enough - be realistic about the art world - it's a journey not a career. Love what you do.

What are you afraid of when thinking about the future?
Total environmental devastation and the Republican/National Party being returned. Maybe they are linked?

What books do you have on your bedside table?
A History of Ideas (From to Freud) by Peter Watson
The Parallax View by Slavoj Zizek
The History of the Occult

Can art and sport be friends?
I'm always astonished that great artists seem to be able to also be great sports fans. I was brought up to despise rugby and racing especially. Now I like watching the All Blacks with one or two expert friends who happen to be painters and writers.

What's your favourite word?
Aroha.

What's great about today?
Transporting our artist in residence, Runa Islam, to the outer reaches of Aotearoa and seeing the look of astonishment on her face.

Image: by Linda Tanoai