The Complete works
A national two year development programme for ten advanced Black and Asian poets. It partners The Arts Council England, The Foyle Foundation, The Old Possum’s Practical Trust, In association with the Arvon Foundation. It supports writers to produce a full-length collection by providing Individual poet-mentors who will offer intensive critical feedback, tailored support and career development. Writers will have access to a professional development programme, seminars, critical reading sessions, meet-the-editor events and career support and advice. Each year will feature a residential week of writing at Arvon for the group where peer support will be encouraged. The Complete Works will culminate in a final anthology for Bloodaxe in 2010 at a showcase event. During the…
Tate Remixed 2008
It is a digital media collaboration between B3 Media and The Tate. Four spoken-word artists and filmmakers were commissioned to produce a series of short films based on their interpretation of three Tate exhibitions. My poem Vista was used to interpret the Turner prize 2008. I worked along side Stacy Makishi, Francesca Beard and Polarbear. The poems are available online at the Tate website or to download. The Poem Vista reflects on how controversy surrounding the Turner Prize is a great thing for stirring artistic debate. I say: “We all have our own point of view, both in art and in general. Our own way of seeing the world can become so entrenched so as…
Spread the Word Commission
Drawing upon my experiences as writer in residence in Newham I was commissioned to write some poems inspired by the diversity of the borough. I was asked to explore my Ugandan roots and look at how my exodus from Uganda in 1979 had impacted on my life. I gathered aural history form Ugandan elders and young people in the community that I had worked with on The Hero In You pilot. From the interviews and memories I extracted the poems. This new writing commission was produced by Spread the Word in consultation with the writer and LB Newham arts and culture team.
London 2012 Olympic Bid:
As part of Kensington and Chelsea Council’s support for the Olympic bid, the Libraries and Arts service decided to express its interest in the bid through poetry. The Land of Hope and Glory’ and `The Measure of all Things’ were written by myself. I spent time discussing London’s bid to hold the Olympics with a dance class and a basketball team at Lancaster and Golborne youth centres. I spoke to people in libraries across the borough and staff at Kensington and Chelsea Council about their views on the bid. I then used this information to craft two poems, which illustrate the views of the people in Kensington and Chelsea. Poetry written in the libraries and…
