Fife Contemporary at StAnza 2024
Fife Contemporary are pleased to be taking part in StAnza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival, taking …
Tag: stanza poetry festival
Fife Contemporary at StAnza 2025
Three artists at StAnza Poetry Festival are making work to enliven all the senses, as Fife Contemporary announce the exhibition Please Touch!
Fife Contemporary are responding to the sensory theme of this year’s StAnza International Poetry Festival in St Andrews by working with artists Gaelle Chassery, Dominika Jackowska and Katie Fowlie to create a programme that will reach all the senses. These three Scottish based artists, approach how art is experienced through all the senses and explore communication and interaction through their diverse and dynamic work.
The exhibition Please Touch! will feature an interactive light box by Dominika Jackowska, which responds with sounds directly to the participant’s movements, and huggable, smellable, audible and comforting artworks by Gaelle Chassery, including a huggable crocheted brain.
Meanwhile Katie Fowlie, has developed an interactive workshop, Unfolding Landscapes featuring mark–making, natural inks and bookbinding – responding to words and places developed from the What Three Words app. Fowlie’s multi-sensory works are made through interaction with the Fife landscape, and the What Three Words app acting as a poetic link between materials, words and location.
Fife Contemporary will launch the exhibition in a Live Conversation between Fife Contemporary Director, Kate Grenyer and Gaelle Chassery on Thursday 13 March 2025. Through their wide-ranging discussion they will be exploring the tactility, ideas and construction of Chassery’s textile pieces and learn more about why she wants people to literally embrace her sculptures. The conversation will also discuss how neurodivergence and disability inform her practice and her engagement with the artworld.
Please Touch! Exhibition of work by Dominika Jackowska and Gaelle Chassery.
14 – 30 March 2025
Byre Theatre Foyers, St Andrews
Unfolding Landscapes: Mark-making workshops by Katie Fowlie.
Saturday 15 March 2025
St Andrews Town Hall
Gaelle Chassery: Live in Conversation
11am, Thursday 13 March 2025
Online event via Zoom – Find the recording below
StAnza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival, is an award-winning festival dedicated to bringing poetry in all its forms and many languages to audiences around the world. StAnza 2025 embraces the theme How We Feel, with poets from Scotland, the UK and overseas coming together in St Andrews from 14-16 March. The festival once again supports a hybrid format, featuring livestreams and digital exclusives, allowing audiences and artists to join the conversation, no matter where they are.
The Book of Ours – StAnza Poetry Festival 2022
Over 100 people who have experienced homelessness have made a medieval-style illuminated manuscript describing their lives, hopes and dreams, in a 2-year project. A BOOK OF OURS contains a Calendar, songs, an Office of the Dead, and a book of The Joys — all handwritten and illuminated.
The poems, artworks and songs on these pages celebrate a wide cross-section of individual lives, lives that don’t appear in history books, but A BOOK OF OURS aims to change that.
Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, this project was devised and directed by poet Philip Davenport and artist Lois Blackburn; it took place at the Booth Centre, Back on Track, and other support centres in Manchester. The book pages and songs were made collaboratively by people with lived experience of homelessness, and vulnerable people in Manchester, 2019-21.
The exhibition features the original book as well as early drafts of some of the artwork. The project will be included as part of StAnza’s film afternoon, and in their digital installations. You can also visit the project website, view the Book of Ours’ film on its YouTube channel and also visit the Synaptry blog.
A Book of Ours can now be heard in its entirety at
https://quietloner.bandcamp.com/album/satellites-songs-from-the-book-of-ours
The exhibition has been created for StAnza Poetry Festival 2022 in partnership with Fife Contemporary.
Poet Philip Davenport will also take part in a ‘white glove’ Meet the Artist event where the book will be handled and participants learn more about the project.
Sat 12 Mar 2022, 12.30-2pm, Byre Theatre (free)
Header image: Lawrence McGill, The Book of Ours
On This Day – 17 March 2011
Ten Poems from Hafez – Jila Peacock
On this day ten year ago, Fife Contemporary opened Ten Poems from Hafez as part of StAnza 2011. Iranian-born painter and printmaker Jila Peacock created a hand-made artist’s book of Persian calligraphic shape poems using words from Hafez of Shiraz, the metaphysical poet of Iran. Hafez was an inspiration for Goethe and much admired by poets such as Tennyson and Byron. Jila’s own English translations are accompanied by calligraphic shape poems from Persian script, which depict the animals mentioned in each poem to symbolise metaphysical truths.
I came late to Hafez, by Jila Peacock
I am a painter and printmaker working in Scotland but my childhood, is another country.
I was born in Iran in 1948 when my Iranian father, a London University educated doctor, brought his new English wife back with him to Tehran from post-war Europe. Although English was my mother tongue, my parents decided to send me to an Iranian primary school, hence my first written language was Persian.
In the year 2000, forty years after leaving Iran, I finally returned to my first language with the prime purpose of reading the metaphysical poets of Persia in the original Farsi. Reading the Divan of Hafez for the first time, I found myself experiencing the poems in a thrilling almost palpable way. As an artist, I began to try and give these poems visual form.
I was already aware of the tradition of figural calligraphy in Islamic art, and it seemed an obvious step to apply this ancient technique to the images in Hafez’s work. Choosing poems in which Hafez uses animal symbolism as a visual metaphor, I first produced simple drawings of the animals onto which I superimposed the written words. I had been taught the basic elements of writing with a reed pen back in my Iranian primary school days. Skilled calligraphy however, requires hours of daily practice over many years, but what I developed was the ability to fill a silhouette, with writing resembling a legible nastalique without the need for an evenness of script so obligatory in more general use. These were true shape poems, in which the outline and the shape of each image was made from words of the whole poem. I now had my template and began to choose more poems to transform.
Also playing during the exhibition was the animated film of the work, ‘The Tongue of the Hidden’ made with director David Alexander for Channel 4 in 2007.
When the exhibition closed on 22 March, a display of work by the Primary 5 class of Lawhead Primary school, in response to the exhibition, went on display. The class visited the exhibition and completed a drawing exercise at the Town Hall. The class them returned to school to take part in a workshop which gave them a chance to try out printing skills.
Posted in Fife Contemporary Blog
Fife Contemporary – Living with Covid
It’s now about a year since Covid-19 struck the world’s consciousness. In that time there has been much change, much sadness, and in the arts (as with most things), a sudden move from the physical to the virtual in terms of activity.
Like our fellow organisations, Fife Contemporary has had to ‘pivot’ in order to continue delivering our programme. Conversations, discussions and meetings all take place within the confines of a computer’s rectangle.
We were delighted that our exhibition Lines from Scotland was able to reopen at DCL&G last year, albeit months later than planned. Its closure spurred us on to create a series of INSIGHTS, with help from the exhibition’s curator and some of the participating artists, which gave personal views of some of the themes and artworks within the show. These remain as a tangible legacy. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, it’s clear that there will not be an immediate return to ‘normal’ in early 2021.
A taste of our online content so far
- Lines from Scotland Online – INSIGHTS 1-10.
- Care Making for Good – an online exhibition to celebrate the first Phase of our project with Fife carers.
- Fife Portraits for LGBT+ History Month 2019 – to mark Fife Pride 2020 which was to have taken place on 4 July, we published this online exhibition of photographic portraits made last year by 2 LGBT+ youth groups in Fife.
- 100 Buttercups Education Pack – inspired by Laurie Clark’s beautifully drawn flower portraits & featured as part of Engage’s Children’s Art Week 2020.
- Materialise 3 – an online exhibition of selected 2019 craft & design graduates & new makers.
Frances Priest Patterns of Flora, Raasay House: commission by ATLAS Arts – featured in ‘Lines from Scotland’
(Photography Ruth Clark)
Looking forwards
We are currently working on an exhibition which looks at the Circular Economy – REsolve: a Creative Approach to the Circular Economy. It was due to open at Kirkcaldy Galleries in mid-March 2021, but has had to be postponed until 2022. Meanwhile, in the current uncertain climate, we will be working on online material to accompany it.
Sarah Calmus, one of REsolve’s participating artists
(Photo Sandra Franco)
Our usual StAnza Poetry Festival collaboration will take place this year online, and with the climate emergency very much at the forefront, will be linked to the REsolve project (and titled Resolve to Make it New), looking at how the Covid crisis make many of us rethink our lives and try to ‘make do and mend’ – literally. There will be information available very soon about how you can take part in this project.
We continue to offer artist support including another fast-approaching VACMA deadline (2 Feb 2021, 5pm). This time we are pairing Fife with Perth & Kinross – and again with a virtual panel. Artists from these 2 regions interested in applying for a VACMA bursary can find all the information and downloadable forms on our website.
With the new vaccines now being given, we are hopeful that another, more positive, change is on the horizon. We hope that this will enable more face to face arts activity, albeit with masks, in the not too distant future and look forward immensely to that time.
Our Virtual Venue website will continue to keep you up to date with what we’re doing!
Posted in Fife Contemporary Blog
Unique Digital Prints of Poets by Alan Vest
As this coming year’s StAnza Poetry Festival programme has been launched, we’re delighted to offer for sale limited edition digital prints of 9 poets by Alan Vest, an exhibitor at 2018’s festival.
You may remember that the run-up to the past festival happened amidst gales and snow! We feared that Alan’s original portrait drawings would not make it to Fife from his base in the NE of England and as a standby had a single digital print made of each of the 9 drawings of poets to use in case the worst happened. Fortunately it didn’t and despite the dire weather, the drawings (and Alan!) made it to St Andrews and his exhibition ‘My Drawing Day‘ took place as planned.
Each drawing is printed on heavy, white, 140gsm card in full colour. Featured are Alan’s portraits of poets Simon Armitage, Louis de Bernières, John Burnside, Helen Dunmore, Nick Laird, Kei Miller, Daljit Nagra, Jacob Polley and Lemn Sissay. The cost is £15 per print with free postage & packing.
Proceeds from the sale of these prints will be going to help support the wonderful StAnza Poetry Festival.
Posted in Fife Contemporary Blog
Poetrytreat with Jim Stewart and Soda Kitsch
Poetrytreat exhibition for StAnza 2016 Poetry Festival:
For StAnza 2016 six poets were invited to write a poem in response to the gift of a craft object. This was chosen for them from the forthcoming Spring/Summer treat Store collection which is now available to purchase at our treat Store online. The varied responses show how an object can stimulate the imagination in many and sometimes unexpected directions.
Each week we will be showcasing the 6 different poems along with the craft object that inspired it. This week we will be focusing on the words of poet Jim Stewart and the makers Ashley Jessiman and Ian Dunlop of SodaKitsch.
Jim Stewart after Homer, Odyssey 10
Jim Stewart is Poet in Residence at Tentsmuir Forest in north-east Fife, to find out more about Jim and his work please visit here.
Inverleith Lunch Bag by Soda Kitsch, £40
SodaKitsch is a design company based just outside of Edinburgh, to view more of their work on sale at the treat Store or purchase this lunch bag then please visit here.
treat is a brand developed by Fife Contemporary Art & Craft to promote high quality Scottish craft through a curated group of work featured in the online treat store and special pop-up events. To view our whole new spring / summer range please go here.
Posted in treat Blog
Poetrytreat with Chris Powici and Rachael Elliott
Poetrytreat exhibition for StAnza 2016 Poetry Festival:
For StAnza 2016 six poets were invited to write a poem in response to the gift of a craft object. This was chosen for them from the forthcoming Spring/Summer treat Store collection which is now available to purchase at our treat Store online. The varied responses show how an object can stimulate the imagination in many and sometimes unexpected directions.
Each week we have been releasing each poem along with the craft object that inspired it. This week we will be focusing on the words of poet Chris Powici and a glass ornament handmade by Rachael Elliott.
Chris Powici is a Scottish poet based in rural Perthshire, to find out more about Chris and his work please visit here.
Rachael Elliott is a glass maker based in Glasgow, to view more of her work on sale at the treat Store or purchase this ring then please visit here.
treat is a brand developed by Fife Contemporary Art & Craft to promote high quality Scottish craft through a curated group of work featured in the online treat store and special pop-up events. To view our whole new spring / summer range please go here.
Posted in treat Blog
Poetrytreat with Nalini Paul and Mitchell & Black
Poetrytreat exhibition for StAnza 2016 Poetry Festival:
For StAnza 2016 six poets were invited to write a poem in response to the gift of a craft object. This was chosen for them from the forthcoming Spring/Summer treat Store collection which is now available to purchase at our treat Store online. The varied responses show how an object can stimulate the imagination in many and sometimes unexpected directions.
Each week we have been releasing each poem along with showcasing the craft object that inspired it. This week we will be focusing on the words of poet Nalini Paul and knitwear handmade by Mitchell & Black.
Nalini Paul was born in India and grew up in Vancouver, and has lived in Scotland for most of her adult life. She lives and works in Glasgow, to find out more about Nalini and her work please visit here.
Mitchell & Black are a knitwear company based in Dundee, to view more of their work on sale at the treat Store or purchase this snood then please visit here.
treat is a brand developed by Fife Contemporary Art & Craft to promote high quality Scottish craft through a curated group of work featured in the online treat store and special pop-up events. To view our whole new spring / summer range please go here.
Posted in treat Blog
Poetrytreat with Janette Ayachi and Anaïs Paulard
Poetrytreat exhibition for StAnza 2016 Poetry Festival:
For StAnza 2016 six poets were invited to write a poem in response to the gift of a craft object. This was chosen for them from the forthcoming Spring/Summer treat Store collection which is now available to purchase at our treat Store online. The varied responses show how an object can stimulate the imagination in many and sometimes unexpected directions.
Over the coming weeks we will be releasing each poem along with the craft object that inspired it. This week we will be focusing on the words of poet Janette Ayachi and jewellery handmade by Anaïs Paulard.
Janette Ayachi is a Scottish-Algerian poet based in Edinburgh, to find out more about Janette and her work please visit here.
Anaïs Paulard is a French Jeweller based in Dundee, to view more of her work on sale at the treat Store or purchase this ring then please visit here.
treat is a brand developed by Fife Contemporary Art & Craft to promote high quality Scottish craft through a curated group of work featured in the online treat store and special pop-up events. To view our whole new spring / summer range please go here.
Posted in treat Blog
Only a day left to see Jila Peacock's exhibition
Yes, it’s that time already – one day left until the end of the show. If you’re interested in seeing how calligraphy can be transformed into eloquent shape poems, look no further than these examples, using the work of Hafez of Shiraz.
Continue reading “Only a day left to see Jila Peacock's exhibition”
Posted in Fife Contemporary Blog
Lawhead Primary visit Jila Peacock exhibition
FCA&C welcomed 26 members of the primary 5 class from Lawhead Primary School to St Andrews Town Hall earlier this week. They were given a chance to look at the shape poem prints by artist Jila Peacock, watch the short animation film accompanying them, and also do a short drawing exercise.
Continue reading “Lawhead Primary visit Jila Peacock exhibition”
Posted in Fife Contemporary Blog
Jila Peacock's exhibition now open
The elegant and intricate shape poems by Jila Peacock opened this morning in St Andrews Town Hall – FCA&C’s partnership exhibition with the StAnza Poetry Festival 2011.
Continue reading “Jila Peacock's exhibition now open”
Posted in Fife Contemporary Blog
Jila Peacock – Ten Poems from Hafez
This year, FCA&C partners with the 2011 StAnza Poetry Festival to bring the work of artist Jila Peacock to St Andrews.
Continue reading “Jila Peacock – Ten Poems from Hafez”
Posted in Fife Contemporary Blog
Alec Finlay Birdboxes in the Botanics
If the school holidays are starting to drag a bit now, you could do a lot worse than pay a visit to St Andrews Botanic Garden.
Continue reading “Alec Finlay Birdboxes in the Botanics”
Posted in Fife Contemporary Blog
'Turn the Corner' continues in the Town Hall
If you enjoy poetry (and maybe even paid a visit to some of the StAnza Poetry Festival events recently), you can still see some poetic writings reproduced in banner format by calligrapher Susie Leiper in the St Andrews Town Hall foyer.
Continue reading “'Turn the Corner' continues in the Town Hall”
Posted in Fife Contemporary Blog