A few years ago, I was lucky enough to get Arts Council DYCP funding to develop the writing side of my practice. Some of my previous installations had included text. Fast forward and I now can't stop writing! This drawer of my morning pages has given birth to many a poem! I hope to feel brave enough to share some of them soon!
Witnessing Words
My world of words has just grown larger and richer thanks to the insightful and exceptional poetry teachings of poet Sarah Wescott.
This exciting journey with the written word continues and each step seems to be cementing a deeper connection with poetry.
“Poems can bear witness to the deep-soul moments.” Sarah Westcott.
I have learnt to pay more attention to what I hear, that poetry can take on all shapes and sizes and that it really can be as true and as authentic of an expression as visual art.
Language can be connector, facilitator, soother, uniter, conveyor, and transporter.
And ultimately, “all writing is a collaboration with yourself”. Sarah Westcott.
Poetry is giving me the ears to hear myself, to listen out for mother nature.
Spending Time with Words
I think a part of me has been a bit shy of words up until now….believing that a picture could paint a thousand of them easily so, why the need? This from someone who loves books and has run out of book shelves! This from someone who has used words in previous works! This from someone who is in awe of good writing, in how it transports us, how it ‘speaks’ our language!
As I speak, I am embarking on a journey of spending time with words again; revisiting them, exploring language, text and writing in all its forms. Looking at how words and imagery can work in harmony - with me as some sort of conductor.
It involves discovering different writing styles, writing ‘morning pages’ and giving way for the pen to flow.
Thank you Arts Council.
