In 2020, we’re excited to be working with these five fantastic artists through the Jerwood Arts | Apples and Snakes Poetry in Performance Programme. Let’s get to know them…
Julianknxx
Julianknxx is an interdisciplinary Sierra Leonean poet, broadening boundaries and often presenting his work through installations, encompassing the written word, music and visual art. He brings together the mediums of poetry, music, and film, addressing topics including diasporan identity, mental health, youth and fatherhood.
I plan to develop my interdisciplinary project, Subaltern, exploring what it means for people of the African diaspora to live and thrive in conditions that deny them agency of their bodies, their environment, their families and their economic independence. Subaltern will encompass a series of poems, films, sound design and a cityscape installation.
Kirsty Taylor
Kirsty is a ‘Bratfud’ born and bred teacher, writer and poet. Passionate about people and their stories, she has created work for radio and theatre, performing up and down the country telling stories about her beloved city and her experiences there, taking a sensitive look at life in ‘Broken Britain’.
I am eager to develop my writing through mentorship and working alongside other artists. I’m interested in exploring spoken word in the context of theatre, particularly in non-traditional spaces, combining other art forms including music and song. I am excited to reach wider audiences and rep the North!
Neelam Saredia-Brayley
Neelam Saredia-Brayley is an award-winning poet, captivating audiences for 8 years. Effortlessly warm, she creates unique performances with illustrators, musicians and dancers. She is a slam winner, regular headliner, and appeared on BBC Radio Kent. In 2019 she received Arts Council funding to develop her new show, Queer Brown Skin.
I am so honoured to be part of this! I’m really excited to develop as a spoken word poet, exploring new collaborations in contemporary dance with my dancer Jasmine Ee, with time for writing, mentoring, learning, showcasing new work, building audiences and developing core pieces of my new show.
Safiya Kamaria Kinshasa
Safiya Kamaria Kinshasa is a British born Barbadian raised poet and dancer. To write and perform her work, she chiefly experiments with dance/movement, rhythm, and science to navigate through intersectional material. Safiya was shortlisted in the Page category for the 2020 Out-Spoken Prize for Poetry and longlisted for the Performance and Film categories.
I desire to contribute rich pieces which continue to expand on my multi-disciplinary practice, feed my curiosity for the possibilities of poetry in performance and challenge my craft. I hope to gain invaluable knowledge and use the time to continue discovering my voice, heritage, and unique style.
Shaun Hill
Shaun Hill is a queer poet exploring non-capitalist ways of being. Through performance he co-authors moments of radical intimacy. Shaun has shared his words widely, at festivals like UK Young Artists, WOMAD, Shambala, and Verve. His poems have appeared in magazines like Magma, multiple anthologies, and on BBC Radio 4.
Camping with poets always expands what’s possible. I’m looking forward to the geeky conversations I’ll have in the creative lab that’ll rip apart my thinking and leave me stumbling forwards. Now, with the safety net of a bursary I can take the risky, lengthy detours I can’t always justify exploring.
Jerwood Arts | Apples and Snakes Poetry in Performance is supported by Jerwood Arts’ Development Programme Fund.
Photo credits: Neelam Saredia-Brayley – Alice Bryant, Shaun Hill – Sam Cavender