Three of my poems were featured in the 2025 Fringe Arts Bath festival, which consisted of several exhibitions spread over venues in the city centre of Bath between 23rd May and 7th of June. Fringe Arts Bath describe themselves as “Bath Fringe Festival’s cheeky little sister”, and provide a platform for early career curators and emerging artists.
My work featured in an exhibition called ‘Gentle Words Fall upon Loving Ears’, designed to be “an open love letter presenting work that captures the true beauty found within the domestic everyday life of queer relationships”. I really liked the idea of being part of an exhibition that celebrated the joy and everyday normality of queer relationships, rather than something necessarily focused on discrimination, prejudice or LGBTQ+ rights (although that type of work is really important). I chose three poems that I felt best fitted the theme, and whilst they were just for this exhibition (and my wife!) you can read or hear me perform one of them here.
The exhibition was curated by Ashley Cerrino, who chose to set the exhibition up like a living room, with artist’s work posted on the wall, a fridge, a TV screen, and performed through a queer poetry night. Ashley also included fridge magnets showing pictures of some of the artists and their partners, which was a lovely touch!
It was a privilege to be a part of, and a new experience for me to see my work displayed in this form. I’ve only ever showcased my poetry on a page, social media post or through performance, so to see several pieces printed large, framed and hung was really new for me! I helped out with invigilating one day, and it was wonderful to see people interacting with the exhibition and the work that was part of it. It inspired me to think more about how I merge some of the art forms I practice in, having had a desire to do this for a while now. I have tended to keep photography, film and poetry separate, but I hope over the next year I’ll get chance to play with mix these up a little more. A huge thank you to Ashley and Fringe Arts Bath for the opportunity!
