Artist’s statement
Poetry, for me, is a vehicle in which to be present in the moment. Poetry strips away and distills words to their essence allowing one to see common objects or experiences anew.
In my body of work I connect nature with human behaviour. I am interested in the sacred and profane and the relationship between the two and in particular how we transition between the two states.
I am influenced by Mary Oliver for her close attention and astute observations of the natural world. In particular, her words, from “In Blackwater Woods” “the fires and the black river of loss, whose other side is salvation”, rings true. I am influenced by Jane Hirshfield and her Buddhist sensibility which infuses her poetry with simplicity and transcience.
I am influenced by Elizabeth Bishop for her attention to words and her multi-layered poems, appearing as simple sketches, which dig deeper into complex relationships.
I am influenced by Anne Michaels’ brilliance and her refreshing way of looking at common objects such as cows and for her brilliant diction.
My own poetry can be described as paying close attention to diction, to human emotion expressed through the natural world. My process is slow and labourious, with poems being edited many times and then reviewed usually after they have sat dormant for many months in order that I may approach them with a clear mind. The sound and meaning of words is of equal importance in my work. I feel that I connect to humanity through my work. Many pieces are the beginning of a conversation with humanity, which in the expression of the piece, I will extend and broaden the conversation. I think of poems as a beginning, from which other poems or conversations spring forth.
My connection to the natural world comes through in many pieces and has informed my view of life and death.
I love poetry because it is the antithesis of commerce, and of our throw away, fast-paced world. It unfolds as it will.
I enjoy collaboration with other artists. I have collaborated with a musician/composer, digital film makers and other writers.
