Cultureword and Black Gold Arts presented Poetry of Adoption / Adoption of Poetry. A series of monologues written and delivered by refreshing writers who had been mentored by Black Gold Arts and Cultureword.
The chosen 4 writers performed their monologues and supported Lemn Sissay on the 8th of October for the Black and Asian Writers Conference. The monologues are themed around family, adoption and identity. These refreshing, provocative and moving stories opened up the evening entertainment.
Lucy: Made in Hong Kong, exported as a transracial adoptee to the UK, just 11 months old. Actor, published writer and filmmaker. Her acting debut, female lead in PING PONG (1987). Other credits include: Secrets & Lies (1996), Something Good:The Mercury Factor (2014); Julius Caesar-Bristol Old Vic 1987; Drink the Mercury, her performance nominated for a TMA in1990; Hungry Ghosts, again an award nominated performance OFFIE (Of West End) best actress 2010; Prime Suspect 2, Eastenders, Lovejoy,Nighty Night 2. Abandoned, Adopted, Here premieres in London on April 7th 2016. Lucy continues to develop work for both stage and screen.
Seni is a writer, poet, performer, singer and multidisciplinary creative artist of English and Sri Lankan heritage. She works with words, voice, cameras, clay and crafts. She has given readings, performances and workshops in UK, US, Canada, South Africa, Egypt and Kuwait. She currently works as a freelance writer, mentor, trainer and creative artist. She has collaborated with film-makers, visual artists, musicians and digital artists.
Her debut collection, Wild Cinnamon and Winter Skin, (March 2007, Peepal Tree Press) includes a poem which was Highly Commended in the Forward Poetry Prize. Her second collection, The Heart of It, (April 2012, Peepal Tree Press.) is described by Mimi Khalvati as “a tender, moving collection full of passionate intensity and an unswerving faith in the power of reconciliation and love” and includes her poem ‘Operation Cast Lead’ which was shortlisted in the 2010 Arvon International Poetry Competition.
Christina Fonthes owns a number of identities. Black, bi, Britsh, artist, woman, girl. Sometimes they are isolated, and other times they overlap. But they are never stagnant. She is interested in telling and retelling stories through words and film. Christina is a poet/writer/ director, and LGBT activist; born in Kinshasa, and raised in North west London.
@congomuse
Claire Hynes is a tutor in literature and creative writing at the University of East Anglia. Her story, ‘Assorted Biscuits,’ is published in Tangled Roots Anthology (2015), her story, ‘In Her Hair,’ is published in the Bath Short Story Award Anthology (2014) and she was commended in the Words and Women, ‘about,’ competition (2014). Claire is a director and editor at Gatehouse Press. She is a former news editor of The Voice newspaper and she has contributed to publications including The Guardian, New Statesman and Mslexia.
