Words and images are starting to appear in reaction to nine women now…
My friend and huge inspiration, Heather Wastie wrote a poem inspired by her trip to Dudley. Heather is the newly appointed Poet Laureate for Worcestershire, and supports all sorts of spoken word events, around that county and the Black Country… We teeter on the edge of both… My favourite being Mouth and Music in Kidderminster. I’ve read occasionally at open mic nights, testing material, dipping my toe into the performance bathtub…. Since Friday night, she has offered me a proper spot for September 8th… A short 9W set, with Dan!
So those of you that missed me on the preview night in Dudley, have another chance! I can’t believe it really…. From a stammering faltering open mic poetry reading a couple of years ago, to a proper set! Thank you Heather for your support. Mouth and Music is a special thing. Beginners and old hands are welcomed equally, they are nurtured, supported and helped. It’s ok to fail… It is a place where it’s ok to take risks, experiment…. And it is Heather who creates and maintains this healthy creative culture. I love it!
Please click here to see the poem on Heather’s Blog “Weaving Yarns”
Also… The photos are in… After a few explorations weeks ago with a variety of photographers/videographers who didn’t quite fit right, or reacted to the work the wrong way, or irritatingly, spelled my name wrong when it was right in front of them*, it dawned on me the answer was right in front of me all the time!
Laura Rhodes of Curious Rose Photography has been talking with me about her work and my work for ages. I am stupid, because here she is, a professional, creative, engaged, clued up, talented young artist photographer. But she was in my head filed under “family friend” because I have known her since she was born! What a twit! Anyway….
Laura did her thing… She set up tripods, and wandered about with a camera all evening just doing her thing. Because it was Laura I was relaxed and just for the most part, ignored her. The photos you see here, and on her blog, give a real flavour of the evening. People have said they wished they’d been there, just looking at the photos! I can’t wait to see the video! People are having fun. My audience are interacting with the pieces, discussing them and the issues provoked, seriously, but they are having a laugh, enjoying themselves. Laura seems to just be able to capture the moment, the feel, the interaction. I can’t tell you how much this means to me, and how much that contributes to the work, in the gallery, and in my head! It was a really brilliant evening from where I stood, sat, mingled… And there it is!
It’s not just documentation though, Laura is in there too. Her style, personality and her take on it all are obvious. I think this is what I wanted when I was looking and talking to other photographers, but I didn’t know what it was, I couldn’t articulate it because I didn’t know. What I wanted was a relationship.
*people… If someone is offering you work and money, don’t spell their name wrong. It pisses them off. It also tells them you don’t give a shit about the details.
