Some of my poet family as part of the Festival of Neigbourhood and London Lines project have had their poems handed over to artists – muralists, film-makers, architects and more – who in turn have created their own visual interpretations.
These artworks are being exhibited across Southbank Centre throughout the summer, so come along and find them. Look below to find the trail of poetry…
Poems and where to find them!
1. Barking and Dagenham. Poet: Kayo Chingonyi. Can you find this poem at night? Kayo’s poem will be projected onto Royal Festival Hall.
2. Brent. Poet: Warsan Shire. Warsan’s poem is displayed in Luke’s Cafe designed by RIBA on the Queen Elizabeth Hall Terrace.
3. City of London. Poet: Imtiaz Dharker. Designer James Bowthorpe has set Imtiaz’s poem into the walls of the model village at the Sandy Neighbourhood on Queen’s Walk.
4. Hackney. Poet: Iain Sinclair Working with artist Oona Grimes, Iain’s poem will feature as an installation in the Saison Poetry Library from 19th July.
5. Hounslow. Poet: Francesca Beard. Working with mural artist Jenny Camilleri and children from Hounslow Heath Infant and Nursery School, a poem winds itself around the London Earth Creature on the Queen Elizabeth Hall Terrace.
6. Lambeth. Poet: Jo Shapcott. Jo wrote a collaborative poem based on memories from friends and residents of Lambeth as well as her own borough poem. The poems will be read out at Southbank Centre’s From Lambeth with Love Weekend on 13th/14th July.
7. Lewisham. Poet: Alan Brownjohn. Artist Sophie Herxheimer has designed a set of beautiful rare poetry postcards featuring Alan’s poem and hidden them in the Saison Poetry Library.
8. Merton. Poet: Richard Scott. Watch a poetry film by award winning filmmaker Kate Jessop specially commissioned for London Lines.
9. Newham. Poet: Caasha Lul Mohamud Yusuf.Written in Somali by Caasha, translated into English by Said Jama Hussein and crafted into a poem in English by poet Clare Pollard.
10. Waltham Forest. Poet: Joelle Taylor. Joelle’s poem is wrapped around fruit on the Cherry Berry Company’s Stall on Queen’s Walk. Food for thought in every sense!
11. Wandsworth. Poet: Cheryl Moskowitz. Mural artists The Bread Collective have created a mural of Cheryl’s poem connecting the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden and the Hayward Gallery.
London Lines is a collaboration between Jaybird Live Literature and Southbank Centre.
Follow @litsouthbank and @jaybirdlivelit for London Lines poems, photos and thoughts. Tweet us your contributions using the hashtag #londonlines