Ugly Words

What’s the ugliest thing you have said? What’s the ugliest word you have been called? When do you feel ugly? When do you feel beautiful? In this poetry workshop, Dean Atta will lead up to 17 writers to create responses to the 17 panels of We Were Ugly, the largest work to date by artist Hyon Gyon. Accompanied by poems from Danez Smith, Hieu Minh Nguyen and Warsan Shire, you will face ugliness to find beauty.

These poetry workshops are produced in collaboration with Poetry School. Founded in 1997, Poetry School is a national arts organisation providing inspiring tuition and opportunities for poets and poetry audiences.

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

Dean Atta‘s debut poetry collection, I Am Nobody’s Nigger, was shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize. His poems deal with themes of race, gender, identity and growing up, and have appeared on BBC One, BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service and Channel 4. Dean was named as one of the most influential LGBT people in the UK by the Independent on Sunday. Dean is a member of Keats House Poets Forum and Malika’s Poetry Kitchen. He regularly performs across the UK and internationally. His debut novel, The Black Flamingo, will be published in August 2019 by Hodder Children’s Books.

Photo: Hussina Raja