iwiI am a poet and fine artist with a strong interest in meaningful, introspective work which reflects themes such as mental health, neurodivergence, gendered experiences and class. Through an auto-ethnographic approach, I explore how my lived experience can convey a broader expression of realities that differ from expectation. To quote my poetry, I aim to ‘make the unthinkable heard’.
I am currently part of Southbank Centre's New Poets Collective. In celebration of Southbank Centre's 75th anniversary, this edition of the New Poets Collective is two years long and plays a part in A Poet in Every Port, a project which celebrates poetry in coastal communities. As a collective we meet regularly to write, read and share. There are also several moments within the two years for sharing publicly, such as via the Mobile Poetry Library.
In 2023, I received Arts Council England funding to produce page, audio, and visual versions of 'Autistic Joy'. This is an ambitious and socially-engaged project portraying the joyful side to being autistic, which is created utilising my lived experience, as well as those of a focus group of autistic peers. So far, the film version of Autistic Joy has been accepted for 9 film festivals and two art galleries.The film is freely available on YouTube.
I also received commission by BBC Sounds to write and voice 'CHAV', which acts as an invitation to a conversation around working class realities, subverting stereotype and seeking authenticity.
I recently graduated with first class honours in fine art from University Centre South Essex. I used my time at university to develop my skills in presenting raw narratives within visual arts, taking on projects that unpack heavy topics within the safety of creative practice. I continuously test the ways in which poetry and art can interact, working with ekphrasis to generate cyclical work.
Alongside my creative ventures, I work in co-production for a mental health charity, so safely conveying impactful messaging is a strength I have developed over many years. I am experienced in safeguarding an audience through challenging conversations and experiences.
To read about my work so far, head to my artist's CV or view my gallery to see more.