Proverbs of Water

My sequence Proverbs of Water is featured in The Rising of the Waters, the latest journal from Dark Mountain. I'll be reading the poem at the launch on 3 December at Free Word Centre, London. Meanwhile, you can get a taste of the editorial here.

Hallowe'en Editions

Alchemy (2006) Letterpress by Roni Gross

As Hallowe'en approaches a reminder that these are the last few days to catch They Cast No Shadows: Hallowe'en Works from Zitouna Press over 25 years at The Centre for Fine Print Research, UWE, Bristol. The exhibition - which showcases printed multiples made annually for Hallowe'en by New York artist Roni Gross - runs until 31 October. 

Further details about the exhibition including my catalogue essay are available online here.

Material Words at The Poetry Library

The Poetry Library at London's Southbank Centre has acquired a copy of How to Say 'I Love You' in Greenlandic for their collection. Both the original fine press edition of How to Say 'I Love You' in Greenlandic and the miniature MIEL edition will be on display at a one-day celebration of the material word, held at the library on Sunday 16 November. Free and all welcome, details here.

Lines in the Ice

My latest book ITOQQIPPOQ - which was acquired by the British Library in the summer - will be shown as part of the British Library's exhibition Lines in the Ice: Seeking the Northwest Passage which runs from 14 November 2014 to 29 March 2015. Lines in the Ice examines the role of the Arctic regions in the making of the modern world. ITOQQIPPOQ will be in the company of early European maps of the Arctic, Inuit accounts of the coming of explorers and writings from the long search for the explorer Franklin. The curator has contributed a post to the BL's American Studies blog which gives an exciting glimpse of some of the other works that will be on show.

Manchester Artists Book Fair 2014

I will be showing my work at Manchester Artists Book Fair later this month, and I'm delighted to announce that I'm sharing my stand with visiting New York artist Roni Gross, who has been invited to give two printing masterclasses at Hot Bed Press in Salford (details here). 

We're looking forward to presenting some of our recent collaborative projects, including the first UK showing of Tikilluarit. The Book Fair is a great opportunity to talk to artists about their work, so do visit if you are in the area. 

Arctic Events in Oxford

You are warmly invited to come and celebrate the launch of my (small) UK tour at The Albion Beatnik in Oxford on 30 October. I will be joined on stage by the magnificent MacGillivray, of whom more below. (Other readings will happen in Newcastle, Brighton, Bristol, Bedford and London this winter.)

The Albion Beatnik
34 Walton St, Oxford, OX2 6AA
30 October 2014
7.30pm
Free entry
Wine bar available

MACGILLIVRAY has walked in a straight line with a dead wolf on her shoulders through the back streets of Vegas into the Nevada desert, eaten broken chandelier glass in a derelict East Berlin shopping mall, headbanged in gold medieval stocks in Birmingham allotments, burnt on a sun bed wearing conquistador armour in Edinburgh’s underground city, breast-fed a Highland swan in Oxford and regurgitated red roses in Greenland.

She remains the clan chief.

Arctic Events in Newcastle

In November the Lit & Phil in Newcastle-upon-Tyne will host two events as part of the series Quujaavaarssuk and the Queen of the Sea. The Lit & Phil is a venue full of character, which possesses - among other things - a mesmerising collection of early literature on the Arctic - I spent several months researching in the stacks on my return from Upernavik in 2010. 

Ice and the Imagination


Tuesday 4 November 6pm


FREE


This wintery workshop will take classic works of polar exploration and natural history from the Lit & Phil collection as a starting point for new writing about ice, snow and the environment. Poet Nancy Campbell will introduce work by contemporary writers on the subject and guide you through prompts to create your own poems and stories.

Seven Words for Winter: Arctic Poems


Monday 17 November 7pm


FREE


In this reading Nancy Campbell will evoke the atmosphere of ‘the most northern museum in the world’ on the remote island of Upernavik in Greenland. These poems describe the disappearing arctic language and environment and retell the colourful myths of the Inuit coastal community. The evening will open with readings of new work from writers who participated in the Ice and the Imagination workshop.

Numbers are limited so booking is advised for both these events.

Please contact The Lit & Phil, 23 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SE
 

Tel: 0191 232 0192 

Email: library@litandphil.org.uk

Thanks to Arts Council England for supporting these activities