The Poem as Encounter

Poet and critic Will Harris will lead a poetry workshop in response to the work of Lebanese artist Rayyane Tabet. Tabet’s work looks at the way in which our day-to-day experience intersects with larger historical currents. Tabet talks about this as an ‘encounter’, a move ‘from the first person to the third person’, or ‘from “ME” to “YOU”’, and uses a variety of reclaimed objects, newspaper clippings and found materials to create this effect. During this workshop, participants will be given their own objects and clippings to respond to, and look at the work of poets who have found inspiration in the world beyond themselves. The end result will be to make poems that become encounters in themselves.

Suitable for 16+. Writers of all levels and styles welcome – no prior experience with poetry necessary.

Will Harris is a poet and critic from London. He was shortlisted for the 2018 Forward Prize for Best Single Poem and received a Poetry Fellowship from the Arts Foundation in 2019. He is the author of the chapbook All this is implied and the essay Mixed-Race Superman, published by Peninsula Press in the UK and Melville House in the US. His poems have been featured in the Guardian, the Poetry Review, and the anthology Ten: Poets of the New Generation. His debut poetry collection, RENDANG, is forthcoming from Granta in February 2020.

Workshop co-produced with Poetry School for the Rayyane Tabet: Encounters exhibition.

Founded in 1997, Poetry School is a national arts organisation providing inspiring tuition and opportunities for poets and poetry audiences.