Call her the artist from Down Under — the Manhattan Bridge.
An Australian-born singer and songwriter has opened a Dumbo shop where she sells artwork based on her songs. Nadia Ackerman, who has recorded five pop albums and performed with Sting and Billy Joel, said that the impulse to draw is the same one that fuels her music.
“It’s just pouring out of me,” said Ackerman. “I’m not the type to put a lid on anything creatively. If the muse says, ‘Okay, now we’re going to write an album.’ Okay, that’s what I’m doing. If the muse says to draw, that’s what I do.”
Some of her colored-pencil drawings are literal depictions of the song lyrics, which are printed on the back of each piece, while others are more abstract renderings. Each also comes with a download code for the depicted song.
Ackerman sees her melodic pop music as a way to tell personal stories of struggle and triumph. And creating the art by hand and selling it at Natchie Art is another way to reach out to people, she said.
“The stories are always emotional and vulnerable, very human, I guess. And I think that’s why this all works. Because I feel like today, especially with digital art, we’ve lost that human connection,” she said. “And I feel like between my drawings and music I’m trying to make those connections.”
Ackerman will reach out to audiences on June 25 with a concert in the Archway under the Manhattan Bridge, just a few steps from her storefront. The event is part of the Live at the Archway series, which hosts free summer concerts on Thursday evenings. Ackerman will perform with her full eight-piece band, the Harold Pinter Orchestra.
“At first I was just going to do a little band, a little set-up, and then I thought — ‘No, I’m going to go for it!’” she said. “I’m bringing everyone. It is a huge event!”
Nadia Ackerman and the Harold Pinter Orchestra at the Archway (Pearl Street at Anchorage Place in Dumbo). June 25 at 6 pm. Free.
Natchie Art (145 Front St. between Jay and Pearl streets in Dumbo, www.natch
