POETRY may not change the world, but some of it may affect the way some people feel about what is going on. And sharing our feelings about the issues of the day – climate emergency, politics, wars, social injustice, poverty, identity – helps us survive the anxiety and brings us together to work towards change.
That’s the basic philosophy behind the Narberth Poets’ Poetry as Protest Exhibition, ‘Resistance is Fertile’, which is getting its third outing this May.
I am proud to be one of the Narberth Poets – six writers from Pembrokeshire – Bean Sawyer, Jane Campbell, Christian Donovan, Emma Baines and Jean Riley. We believe that through poetry we can sow the seeds of social change and inspire others to challenge the status quo. And taking poetry off the page and onto walls and into public spaces as artwork brings it to new audiences.
Resistance is Fertile, an exhibition of protest poetry as art, opens at SPANarts in Narberth on Wednesday, May 6. The show, which features poems and linked artwork ini varied forms, is on until June 3rd – and is open daytimes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for free viewing.
See links below for more info.
The six poets have created new pieces for the exhibition since it was first shown at Narberth Museum last summer and at Oriel y Parc in St Davids earlier this year. Innovative artworks incorporating their words include cyanotypes, printing on metal, weaving, collage, photography, linocut and oil painting.
Comments on the earlier exhibitions included the following:
“Such a powerful exhibition – don’t miss it. Poetry as protest – by a collective of wonderful poets from Pembrokeshire. Poetry as resistance against silence – and such beauty too – bearing witness - a reminder of what is happening in Gaza." Professor Emerita Menna Elfyn, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David and President of Wales PEN Cymru.
“The exhibition is really powerful and very moving. I had to sit there for a while to let it all land; the poems did what poems should -- brought me up short.” Kate Sherringer, North Pembs Amnesty Group.
“Thought-provoking work, from some excellent poets... Great variety, too, in the visual art forms.” Diana Powell, writer.
From visitors writing in the Book of Wishes: “Such a powerful exhibition. Beautiful and moving.” “Every time I come I read one or two poems each time. They give me more.”
“Thank you for the opportunity to pause, think and reflect.”
More info: https://span-arts.org.uk/poetry-as-protest-art-exhibition-at-span-arts/
More about the Narberth Poets here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578271421374
and here: https://narberthpoets.wordpress.com/
Culture Matters article and pix, Oriel y Parc exhibition: https://www.culturematters.org.uk/poetry-as-protest-resistance-is-fertile-opens-at-oriel-y-parc/
Interview and poetry readings, Pure West Radio , Sunday, May 3rd, 9am, Arts Show with Alexandra Walsh: https://www.purewestradio.com/catch-up/
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