Edge of the Map

Mutlu Yillar; The Tabula Rasa

2011-12-31T15:25:00.000Z

As New Year’s bells ring out across the globe and firecrackers disguised as rockets scatter their pyrotechnic blaze of colour into the night sky in announcement of the passing time, people everywhere will contemplate the past and look to the future with anticipation. It is only another moment in life, yet it signifies more than a mark on

Seasonal Greetings: Of Quaaludes, Quinine, the Quad and Quixotic Quests

2011-12-23T14:17:00.000Z

“I’m a sinner,” he shouted tossing the Black Beauty into the back of his throat while letting the Quaalude dissolve under his tongue in a bubbling swirl of lager. She was feeding him lust in chemical form and he ate hungrily, a wolf at Red Riding Hood’s door. With enough speed in his system to keep him going all night the ‘lude would settle him nicely into that dreamy tantric state where music

Spinning the Wheel

2011-11-22T09:18:00.001Z

One of the lessons I use to generate conversation in my classes is to ask the students to come up with a directory of the most important inventions in history, making the initial distinction between invention and discovery, of course. As I write their suggestions on the board, reminding them to say, “I think the most important invention …” we travel through time, discussing reasons and needs

What..! Sacrifice ..?

2011-11-08T12:10:00.001Z

For most people in Turkey this is a long weekend off work and the time to visit family. I decided to take advantage of a few days without classes to get into the sunshine and take pleasure in the wonders of nature and the mingling of the holiday crowds. As it was yet another beautiful day with temperatures still hovering in the low 20s (bottom end of the 70s Fahrenheit) I hopped in the car and

Natural Terror

2011-11-02T08:00:00.000Z

I’m fortunate to have awoken to beautiful scenery and sunshine this past week .. However .. Just over a week ago, on the 23rd of October, a massive earthquake rumbled Turkey near the city of Van in the Eastern part of the country, and the people who live there awoke to terror. I’d like to thank everyone who enquired after my safety and sent good wishes by email, facebook, skype and the

Where Change Happens

2011-10-07T17:02:00.000+01:00

This is the 40th episode in the travelblog I began on leaving the UK 18 months ago and therefore I felt it appropriate to mention the significance of change and renewal as represented by the number 40. Forty is a sublimely interesting and noteworthy number in many traditions as well as to those who mark the days and years of life as a series of passages through landmark events. Life begins

Show Me the Waves To Go Home

2011-09-22T12:35:00.000+01:00

.. real poverty is a distressing reality in some places - even within the EU, be warned: the following true account may be disturbing to those of a sensitive nature .. It was a beautiful morning along the southern Aegean coast; the sun was shining, the birds were singing and honeybees buzzing anxiously around the garden as I walked back from my early swim. This week I had business to

An Ordinary Day

2011-09-13T12:15:00.001+01:00

Birthday Wishes .. I just had a birthday, and like many other occasions it was an anniversary to commemorate the past and consider the future, but most of all to live in the moment of celebration. For me, it was just another day. So, I woke before sunrise and wandered onto the balcony with tea and generous lemon slice to watch the day begin. The Russian girl across the garden smiled when

Walking With the Green Man

2011-08-17T09:56:00.002+01:00

Nottingham is world-renowned; everywhere you go you can mention this East-Midlands city and people will have heard of the legendary Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest. Whether through books, films, television or oral tradition, almost everyone is familiar with the tale of this heroic champion who, along with his motley band of avengers, stole from the rich to give to the poor. However, the modern

Swimming with the Fishes

2011-08-06T09:59:00.001+01:00

Several of last summer's language project students returned this year for additional lessons and I had the pleasure of hosting one of them at my place for a few weeks .. one day we decided it would be more beneficial to hold the lesson on a boat - after all, what's the point of learning a language if you don't have access to ordinary activities in which to employ those new skills ?.. while we

Knossos .. Gnosis!

2011-08-01T07:11:00.005+01:00

The road goes on and on in a winding course through life .. but where do your paths take you .. what have you learned on your trip .. what does the journey mean to you .. and if we ever meet again, what will you teach me? Minoan culture was the epitome of Western thinking and society over 3500 years ago. Strategically situated in the centre of the world, the crossroads at the dawn of recorded

Island of Spirits

2011-06-23T20:09:00.026+01:00

Crete is a mountainous land and the usually dormant volcanoes of this island have carved a treacherous terrain for the motorist, even if the goats thrive. Obviously, the roads must go over the top to get to the other side, and if you want to travel to anywhere else from the beach it generally means climbing to the top of the peaks. I took one such journey from Chania on the northwest coast to

Back On Top of the Mountain

2011-06-19T19:17:00.003+01:00

Due to so many commitments over the past couple weeks I haven’t really had time to write for the Blog, but today being Father’s Day I’ve been given the occasion to relax and mention a few places I’ve been recently. However, I promise to begin the new format soon and hopefully share with you all some interesting thoughts and photos of remarkable places to visit. From Scotland to Turkey and Greece

Food, Glorious Food ..

2011-05-25T14:56:00.001+01:00

Or, A Steak Through Your Heart It’s National Vegetarian Week! So, here are a couple scary anecdotes from eating abroad and that wonderful mix of substances we often take for granted .. and some stuff for the cynically inclined .. A few months ago while staying with a group of Kurdish university students I was treated to a homemade meal called çiğ köfte (pronounced chi koftey) that they organized

On the Eastern Front

2011-05-02T14:17:00.000+01:00

Appendages of light traced lines along windswept acres of dune grass and reeds as a golden sun gently kissed the rippling sands of a lonesome beach on a sheltered cove. I sat on a lounge chair beneath the wooden awning and awaited sweet creamed coffee. An ancient fortune-teller approached and taking the seat beside me lifted her head to look into my eyes. The last cool blast of winter blew snow

Every Day is Earth Day

2011-04-22T13:00:00.000+01:00

I love to watch the sun rising, bursting forth in glorious proclamation of a fresh start; the commencement of a new day when all is possible. Birds chirp their morning serenade, the cat curls up on the patio after a night of prowling and all seems at peace with the world. But, unfortunately all isn’t in concord on Earth today and as dependent inhabitants we must take more positive steps to change

Spring Hopes Eternal

2011-04-02T10:35:00.001+01:00

.. some of my favourite things .. Spring is a time of proverbial hope that presents us with the promise of originality and continuity. Flowers bloom and trees bud with fruit to remind us of the ceaseless cycle of nature with a rejuvenation of the earth in all its glory. The beautiful and endlessly variable creatures we share this world with emerge from their winter hibernation in hidden cocoons

The Postmodern Nightmare

2011-03-22T13:00:00.009Z

Milton Keynes: reflections on the city of reflections .. shining hope for a new social order or soulless space of crass consumerism? When I first arrived in England almost twenty years ago I stayed a while in the ‘new town’ of Milton Keynes. Although nearly everyone I met was proud of living in this fine gleaming enterprise on the flat plains in the middle of the English countryside with all its

Above the Clouds

2011-03-14T13:15:00.002Z

.. A Silver Lining Leaving anywhere one has lived for a sustained period of time is always emotionally difficult and complicated. Saying goodbye to people we have grown to love, respect and trust, even for a short while, is never easy. Friends wonder if they are being left behind and question the reasons, motivations and purpose of any journey. But what the seasoned traveller knows in his or her

Everything Must Change

2011-02-21T14:10:00.012Z

Change alone is eternal, perpetual, immortal. ~ Arthur Schopenhauer Who looks outside, dreams, who looks inside, awakes ~ Carl Jung We measure the passing time in many ways, with religious festivals and national holidays, days of remembrance to commemorate historical events, personal anniversaries that mark relationships and birthdays and by revolutions of the earth in the course of its

Children of the Rising

2011-02-06T12:55:00.120Z

.. the revolution is being televised .. We must become the change we want to see in the world. ~ Mohandas Gandhi It’s funny what happens when we get to a point in life where we realise we have outlived our guiding lights. I don’t believe in ‘heroes’, probably because I have had to be one myself occasionally – to my children when they were young and in my own life when facing challenges and

Burns Baby Burns

2011-01-29T11:28:00.006Z

Aye, it was a braw bricht moon licht nicht thon nicht. On the birthday of one of the world’s most celebrated poets, Robert Burns, or Rabbie to his friends, people gather in almost every nation to deliver tribute to the Scottish Bard’s verses, sing songs in homage to well-deserved reputation, and of course, partake of the haggis and whiskey. Whether you’re in Scotland, the USA, Spain, Singapore

On Kerouac

2011-01-16T12:36:00.006Z

Little ditty ‘bout Jack and Dean .. Over the course of a continuing lifetime I have taken many trips, across nations and continents, to the tops of mountains and through vast lowland swamps, traversing oceans and deserts, down back alleys of sprawling cities at night and gravel strewn country lanes into cloistered villages far removed from the hustle and bustle of the frantic and of course,

A New Beginning

2010-12-04T10:32:00.007Z

"Begin at the beginning and go on until you come to the end: then stop"from Alice in Wonderland ~ Lewis Carroll December has arrived, and the sun is shining through scattered clouds across the Southern skies as I pull on my travelling boots once again and head across the cornfields and pine forests toward the rugged coast of the Western frontier. I love the wild open plains that stretch as far as

Novembaura

2010-11-18T22:33:00.009Z

I have a good reason to discuss a change in the season .. an autumn amble in the country, along the beach, in the forest, through the heart of the affair .. Over the past months I have really learned to appreciate photographs revealing the soothing consolation of nature in all her glory .. but, most particularly I've revelled in simply walking through the beauty of life’s marvellous creation

In the Scheme of Things ..

2010-10-23T13:54:00.015+01:00

With the Bayram festival approaching and the summer sun still warming the earth, I couldn’t resist one more visit to this most ostentatious city of spires, a fabulously inspiring metropolis of imperial dreams; and it was only a magic carpet ride away. Just a short, pleasant journey through gently rolling countryside and a quick trip through underground tubes landed me wide-eyed in child-like

Capital of Controversy 2010

2010-09-24T09:45:00.009+01:00

I had been promising myself a visit to Istanbul’s Museum of Modern Art during the city’s tenure as European Capital of Culture for 2010, and I arrived with my heart in my hands at the epicentre of three empires. I have climbed highest mountain, I have run through the fieldsOnly to be with you..I have run, I have crawledI have scaled these city walls, these city wallsOnly to be with you ..But I

Lap of the Gods ..

2010-09-12T10:30:00.003+01:00

I’ve been stunned into submission of the senses by so many of the magnificent and imposing structures in this beautiful and vast landscape of wonder, and still I’m continually surprised at the wealth of history to be uncovered in this ancient land. With every sunrise that colours the world my eyes are opened once again to the tremendous possibilities in living and the hopes that drive us

Within the Sands of Time

2010-05-31T19:05:00.016+01:00

Time is pouring through the hourglass of our lives and every grain of sand that trickles past the narrow space of the here and now is a moment slipping away that will either contain a treasured memory or simply be lost in the shifting passage of current movements as a missed opportunity .. Monday has come around again I’m in the same old place The same old faces always watching me Who knows

Eye on the Future ..

2010-05-03T06:18:00.059+01:00

What do you feel When you let go of the wheel, Can you take a leap of faith, Will you face the change of pace? There are worlds out there Beyond compare .. Going on a journey Somewhere far out East .. We'll find the time to show you Wonders never cease .. - Morcheeba - The weeks are beginning to roll by and become as one long moonlit dream .. I am starting to develop a rhythm and pattern to

This is the House

2010-03-08T13:42:00.013Z

“There is no real and no imaginary except at a certain distance. What happens when this distance, even the one separating the real from the imaginary, begins to disappear and to be absorbed by the model alone?” Jean Baudrillard“When two people see the same thing at the same time, that is real.” John Lennon“Time can pull us together or time can push us apart – distance is the space between.” .. me

What's Up & Coming: 2010

2010-03-03T23:18:00.014Z

With 'Up & Coming' soon arriving in Nottingham, I thought I would post this little video of one of my works on display at Novas Scarman's Contemporary Urban Centre in Liverpool .. the exhibition was the masterwork of Sheffield graduate curator David Thomas Crawley, and coincided with the European Capital of Culture celebrations for 2008 .. It was a hectic time, with the open studios at Banks

"I can see your house from here .."

2010-02-17T15:46:00.020Z

Private View - with wine and nibbles, February 27th 1-4pm".. a conversation between artists concerning notions of scientific discovery, space, the past and the nostalgic future ..There is a natural want for humankind to believe that it has both a place and a future in the future. This exhibition considers impending possibilities, the colonisation of other worlds, time travel, Utopianism, free

Memories: Deda Night

2010-01-24T18:37:00.012Z

Saturday night saw Deda light up and flash back in a series of events that encompassed the arts through a variety of media and performance with a truly international vision ..Upstairs, the artists known as Cruiser exhibited a collection of works based around the theme ‘Memory & Migration’ .. downstairs Julian’s paintings, executed outdoors during a succession of twelve full moons, were being

Travelling Hopefully: Memory & Migration

2010-01-09T09:42:00.015Z

As Artists Travelling Hopefully Cruiser make their way to the exhibition and performance space at Deda in Derby this month ..I will be performing ‘Memory Man’ .. Yelena Popova will be performing as Martian Gardener .. and the rest of the Cruiser artists will be exhibiting and on hand to show and discuss their work which will be on display through March ..Julian Woodcock is a main attraction.. and

Something for the Weekend

2009-11-26T21:41:00.015Z

Memory & Migration was an event ..There were evolving narratives, continually flickering images, static membranes and interactive drawing boards ..Artists as diverse as Saira Lloyd, Chris Lewis-Jones, Simon Withers, Yelena Popova, Gareth Jones and others installed works for the topical and cohesive theme ..Oh .. and there was me performing a new piece written especially for the happening ..The

The WORD

2009-11-10T22:51:00.012Z

Last month’s Leicester WORD! was an electrifying poetry-shock live session at the now usual spot in the Y Theatre .. I performed my nearly infamous Pop Star piece .. oh, the requests keep rolling in ..Steve Tasane of Apples and Snakes Poetry Organisation based in London stopped up for a chat and to perform an eclectic piece of his own ..There was video .. music .. contests with prizes .. and

Cruiser - Memory & Migration

2009-10-12T23:16:00.007+01:00

Here's the poster for the upcoming 'Cruiser' exhibition at Old Knows Studios in Nottingham .. A host of great artists and some fabulous new ideas for a terrific new concept .. All good .. All happening .. All the news .. All be there .. I will be performing a specially written piece, and there will be goodies on hand ..And .. a preview of the 'Cruiser' concept ..Hope to see you - Saturday,

Writing on the Walsall

2009-08-26T11:33:00.019+01:00

It has been another busy summer of exhibitions and shows in the Midlands, with the New Art Gallery, Walsall, topping the list of brilliant spaces to present work by up and coming talent like Ania Bas and Karen Tam and firmly established artists such as Andy Warhol, Helen Chadwick and Damien Hirst ..A hidden gem in the crowded outskirts of Birmingham, this structure towers above the town at the

Cold Memories

2009-07-08T13:13:00.006+01:00

A few months ago I was invited to submit a piece of work for a small exhibition at the Old Knows Studios in Nottingham entitled ‘Cold War’. A group of local artists were invited to interpret the theme loosely and produce something that collectively would make a statement toward the randomly selected title of title of the show. Here’s what I thought of and exhibited:It is a painting of a list of

Last of the Sabbatical Vine

2009-05-19T11:33:00.018+01:00

Edinburgh in the spring is for lovers .. and lovers of all things cultural .. Edinburgh is a city of fantasy and creativity, but it never forgets itself – it is built on solid foundations; a history of artists and pioneers, writers and warriors, architects and financiers who brought life to the Scottish dream; a vision of hope rising in the surreal depictions of past revelations of mystical

London Lives

2009-04-17T17:49:00.006+01:00

London is teeming with culture, and last week I had the pleasure of accompanying a special friend to peruse the galleries .. share a cappuccino in a lovely street cafe ..stroll along the Embankment and down Tooley Street past the old dungeon .. spend a bit of time carousing around the slowly revolving Millennium Wheel and past the reproduction of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre ..Yes, I played the

Signs, Shrines, Towers and Tributes

2009-03-20T23:51:00.020Z

As mere mortals occupying a brief moment in the history of the earth, collectively and individually we search for significance in the shapes of the natural world about us .. Symbols and signs that exhibit distinct geometric patterns, whether real or imagined, are a necessary part of our interpretation of revelation and social construction .. In the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, this

Winters in Mallorca

2009-03-04T19:27:00.022Z

A whole host of exciting celebrations and interesting events during the months of January and February welcome the visitor to the Balearic Island of Mallorca .. As an occasional off-season resident familiar to the island, I am fortunate enough to have a lovely place to stay with a stunning view toward the marina at Puerto de Alcudia ..However, I am not the first traveller to have spent ‘A Winter

HeART of Scotland

2009-02-22T14:14:00.014Z

As some of you may be aware, I have been in Scotland recently, with the implicit intention of moving to the West Coast – yes, it’s time again for a change. I’ve never lived in any place for more than six years, and I have been residing in Derby for 5 years now .. my internal clock is ticking with an anxious fury .. and I miss having a calming sea view .. no, it isn’t always cloudy, really ..While

Old Knows Penultimate Exhibit

2009-01-16T11:19:00.004Z

This weekend sees the penultimate event at Old Knows Studios in Nottingham .. I am honoured to have been part of this terrific collective of artists for even a short time .. Stay tuned for information about the Cold War show being exhibited at Deda in Derby next year .. and about the final event showing at Old Knows, 'Closure' .. http://www.oldknows.co.uk

The Lady's Secret Garden

2009-01-12T21:44:00.012Z

My Hogmanay trip to Scotland has been quite an interesting venture .. I am staying at my mother’s house, with this fabulous view of the highest town hall tower in the UK and a stunning view over the River Clyde ..Additionally, I have been doing a bit of research on the family history and visiting the site of the castle I once lived in .. unfortunately it was torn down in the mid-eighties due to

Up & Coming Website Now On-Line

2009-01-06T13:40:00.005Z

After much anticipation and subdued fanfare, the Up & Coming website is on-line .. here you can browse the artists and musicians who were involved in the exhibition at Liverpool's Contemporary Urban Centre in July 2007 .. Here's what they said about me .."Wallace’s interests include diamonds, nanotubes and interpreting the geometry of rainbows. Psychedelics and algebraic formula mingle

Christmas Island at Big Blue

2008-12-09T19:01:00.023Z

Island life came to Derby this past weekend with the bang of Christmas crackers .. it was a shame we lost our video artist for the evening, but hey, I did enjoy making the palm tree for the mini-set behind the performers ..This wasn't only a poetry gig for me, which would have made the experience more enjoyable personally, rather it was something I had to do - something I had wanted to do in

Spoken Words

2008-11-30T21:33:00.004Z

This weekend I dropped into Baby J Studios in Derby for a little recording session in anticipation of the Xmas Island evening at Big Blue ..Watch and listen to this space .. for the upcoming premiere of a couple tracks ..

Cold War!

2008-11-28T14:33:00.004Z

Cold War - an Actual Wall exhibition, at the Old Knows Factory Building, Anns Hill Road, Nottingham, NG3 4GP .. I will be previewing a new piece of specially created themed artwork, as will these other fine artists; all members or associates of the OK studio group .. The preview will be Friday, December 5th .. should be a terrific evening with nibbles and wine for all who attend .. I hope to see

Xmas on Christmas Island !

2008-11-17T17:55:00.015Z

Exemplar Art presents an evening with Rhythm and Blue ..A Spoken Word Live Music Presentationcommemorating the Festive Season and50th anniversary of the first British H-Bomb testson Kiritimati .. Christmas Island! Hope to see you there at BIG BLUE COFFEE located on Sadler Gate in DerbySaturday, December 6th from 7:30 pm

Party Time

2008-11-03T19:04:00.007Z

This past weekend those in the know in the Regional 'Scene' were at Big Blue for Fierce's Party Time gig .. a well-attended eclectic event of spoken word mixed with acoustic song, thumping bass and drums .. a mixed bag of artists, musicians and poets got together to make something happen .. all in, it was a sparkling night with much music, merry and mirth .. Fierce in Motion .. Jo Lewis was not

Quad Opening

2008-09-27T22:34:00.004+01:00

Derby City marked the beginning of the Feste Weekend with the official opening of Quad, the new digital media and arts centre located in the Market Square. Many hundreds turned out to get a special preview inside the multipurpose building, and wander around the city centre, taking in the evening's many exciting events .. The view from 'The Box', the top floor of the Quad .. The replica giants of

Riff Raff Festival

2008-09-17T11:37:00.002+01:00

As the early evening's dusk draws the curtains on a summer of showers and scattered sunshine, the Riff Raff Festival once again signalled the final wave to a season of festivals, concerts in the park and outdoor events .. Here I am reminding the gathered crowd that having a home to go to makes these camping weekends all the more enjoyable with my piece Hobo Jungle .. below, Joe Coghlan, a

Wirksworth Festival Weekend

2008-09-09T20:16:00.012+01:00

The crowds gathered in the drizzle outside the 'Hope and Anchor' pub on the market square in anticipation of the day's events and exhibitions. A view across the bridge .. Based on the Perry drawings of the character Ubu Roi, James Moffet's installation work is fabricated from iron and inflatable latex. These stunningly imposing pieces command the space with a heavy weightiness, yet suggest a

Wirksworth Festival Opening

2008-09-06T14:00:00.008+01:00

Just a few of the wonderful works on display in the Parish Rooms at the opening of the Wirksworth Festival. A fabulous evening was had by all, with the movers and shakers of the Derbyshire regional art scene in attendance .. a brief introduction was followed by the obligatory networking and pub crawl through the village .. Maggie Cullen's miniature paper figures stand on plinths gazing silently

Poetry Gig Flyers

2008-09-02T01:11:00.002+01:00

As promised, a few of the flyers from various poetry gigs I have performed in over the past year .. I have been pleased to be involved in all of these terrific events, and look forward to being involved with some of these great professionals again soon ..

Bill and Natalie's Leaving Do

2008-09-02T01:02:00.003+01:00

Well, here's the one decent pic that came out from Bill and Natalie's party - and they are not in it haha .. they are off to the Cayman Islands to teach, just in time to have caught Hurricane Gustav bearing down on their first week .. oh well, if they make it through that they will probably enjoy the rest of their time in the sunshine .. all the best to the two of them.

Birmingham Ikon

2008-09-01T20:22:00.008+01:00

Greetings all from Brummieland .. yes, another sunny summer day out, this time at the Ikon Gallery and Bullring market area of Birmingham. I have been into the 'second city' previously, but to be honest I didn't really know what wonders it held till we took a stroll down around the canal area. The Ikon was a terrific space with some wonderful exhibitions - particularly liked the elevator music ..

2008-08-22T13:08:00.004+01:00

Well folks, no new pics to upload as of yet - oh, yes okay there are a few of recent happenings, but trapped in this internet cafe in Nottingham I haven't been able to get them online .. yes, persistent trouble with my provider has relegated me to the outfield of server access .. be faithful, it won't be long till Exemplar Art makes a new posting of exciting events happening at Quad in Derby, the

Verses Grow ..

2008-08-06T22:49:00.009+01:00

'Verses Grow In Our Garden' is the name of a poetry anthology published by The Madd Chadd Poets with whom I was involved.Joel Denno, a former Derby Slam champ and others, including yours truly spouting my 'Pop Star' anthem to environmental salvation.Also in attendance were Rakesh Parmer, the fabulous Mellow Baku, Catherine Clarke, Rob Hodkinson and of course Richard and Seema.The evening was

Illumination

2008-08-02T12:55:00.009+01:00

Even with all the excitement of recent events and the work that has been put into the various exhibitions and poetry gigs I've been involved with recently, I've still tried to get out and about to see a few sights this summer. One of the most interesting places to visit in the region is the stunning Coventry Cathedral. Although initially laid out almost 800 years ago, it was built onto in stages

CUC Exhibition Website

2008-07-22T17:29:00.005+01:00

Here are a few more photos of the CUC Exhibition in Liverpool and the magnificent Cathedral .. it was a great experience being involved in this prestigious event, and by all accounts a very successful show. Selected artists are being considered for exhibition at the Novas Scarman CUC on the South Bank in London, and I'm hoping my name is in the hat for that great opportunity.Thanks to David

Contemporary Urban Centre, Liverpool

2008-07-08T12:03:00.006+01:00

The exhibition private view in the Aghafar Gallery, and the after party with live band in the Jamaica Room was really a night to remember, with a wonderful turnout of guests and surprises around every turn. Here you can see Liverpool through one of my acrylic and metal pieces installed in the 3rd floor window, as well as a glimpse of the gallery, and the view from my hotel room overlooking the

Contemporary Urban Centre for the Arts, Liverpool

2008-07-08T11:38:00.005+01:00

This past week saw me preview my first exhibition at the CUC in Liverpool, a fabulous new development across from the Albert Dock - home of the Tate Gallery and Beatles Museum. I am honoured and pleased to be part of this terrific emerging artists show in the magnificent newly refurbished listed building in the heart of the Capital of Culture.The Contemporary Urban Centre and Novas Arts is an

Folk Festival in Leicester

2008-07-07T18:55:00.002+01:00

Recently, I was part of the Big Sessions Folk Festival in Leicester, as performance poet, along with Lydia Towsey, Rob Gee, Hit Man Jay and organiser Rakesh Parmer. We performed in the beer tent to a raucous reception - it was a great experience and I hope to do it all again soon. Thanks Rakesh!

Banks' Mill Open Studio Weekend

2008-07-07T18:40:00.005+01:00

The Banks' Mill Open Studio event was a terrific success this year with over 900 visitors, many of whom were able to view my art, and hear me perform several poems with the former Cheshire poet laureate Jo Bell.I was pleased with many of the encouraging comments I received, and was able to discuss my work in detail with more than a few interested visitors and art enthusiasts.Jo Bell and I had a '

Exemplar Art Blog

2008-04-18T13:36:00.003+01:00

Hi .. welcome to my new Blog .. feel free to add graffiti .. witty comments .. or constructive critique ..