Beyond Ekphrasis

Heather Richardson will explore how creative writers can enrich their practice both by applying the analytical techniques used by Art Historians and by finding commonalities between the practice of the visual artist and the writer.

Heather Richardson is a senior lecturer in Creative Writing at the Open University. She has published two novels: Magdeburg (2010, Lagan Press) and Doubting Thomas (2017, Vagabond Voices). Her poetry and short fiction have appeared in journals in the UK, Ireland and Australia. Her textile art has been exhibited at the International Linen Biennale (Lisburn, 2018) and at the F.E. McWilliam Gallery (Banbridge, 2019). On Twitter @TheWovenWriter.

Maria Isakova-Bennett will discuss the interplay between visual art and poetry in her practice with reference to her projects mira (a collaboration with poet John Glenday), Painting the Mersey in 17 Canvases (Hazel Press, 2022), An ache in each welcoming kiss… (Maytree Press, 2019), and Stitch Translations (a collaboration with 48 poets, 2018).

Maria Isakova Bennett is the recipient of a Peggy Poole Award and a New North Poet Award. She has held residencies as both an artist and a poet at Poetry-in-Aldeburgh, Merseyside art galleries, and for Mersey Care, NHS Trust. Maria creates the limited edition hand-stitched poetry journal, Coast to Coast to Coast collaborating with poets in the UK and Ireland. She has four pamphlets, the latest is Painting the Mersey in 17 Canvases (Hazel Press, 2022). 

Part of the Ekphrasis, Creating Space for Art and Literature seminar series:

Ekphrasis in contemporary literature is usually understood as a poetic description of a work of art. This series of seminars will explore how artists and writers use images and texts from ancient and modern sources to create new works which speak to our time.