Documenting the life of a community poet
I’ve had a number of interesting discussions recently about Welsh art in the context of how it’s perceived by, and in relation to, England. One of the points made was that there are so many artists (across all disciplines) who are well respected in Wales yet nobody has heard of, or is interested in, […]
Read MoreI’ve been wary of hurtling down mountains on the bike (an Orange5 Diva Pro) since getting a bit too feisty and badly wrenching my shoulder on the uplift at Cwmdown a couple of years ago. Since then I’ve found the sprint triathlon’s swim, bike, run more appealing – until this month.
Read More1st April was my first day as Young People’s Laureate for Wales – some thoughts over on the YPL Wales blog here: http://youngpeopleslaureate.org/on-beginnings/
Read MoreI’ve really enjoyed being part of National Theatr Wales’ Big Democracy Project over the past two years. In 2014 the Bangor assembly focussed on voter apathy, before Director Gavin Porter moved it across Wales to discuss other themes and issues such as working with Oasis Asylum & Refugee Centre to dissect identity and working with […]
Read MoreNew poems up on the Curly Mind blog 🙂
Read MoreHow can we create meaning in our lives and art in a society unwilling or unable to avert the coming ecological catastrophe? Can connecting with our community alleviate this profound sense of loss and grief, offering purpose and a deep rootedness?
Read MoreWhenever the great cultural juggernaut of Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru rolls into Y Gogs I sign up for the solo recital (llefaru unigol) competition in the Maes D: dysgu Cymraeg. The reason for doing so is that, in addition to improving my Cymraeg, it offers a unique opportunity to fold open the creative process and map […]
Read MoreOne of the primary reasons for applying to be on National Theatre Wales’ TEAM Panel was that I wanted to champion more NTW events happening in my hometown of Wrecsam, and across Y Gogs as a whole. Being on the Panel gives me the opportunity to voice these opinions and I’m loving being involved with […]
Read MoreI’ve been blogging recently about working as a Writer, Community Arts Practitioner & Educator (in Y Gogs) and received a number of supportive and positive replies. The latest blog, a radical proposal for community arts and education also received a largely positive response but there was one element to the proposal that seemed to cause contention […]
Read MoreYears ago during an interview with a local newspaper I gave my title as Community Poet. Afterwards a more experienced writer explained I shouldn’t use the word community because it’s twee and suggests the work is somehow less in comparison to hi-end-art. I’m still baffled by this. Community shapes everything. No artist is born, or […]
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