A SERIES of awe-inspiring light poems will be touring Warrington libraries, as part of the Libraries Connected and RLWC21 Cultural Festival, on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th October.
For ‘The Power of Poetry’ the artist and poet, Robert Montgomery, has joined forces with Emergency Exit Arts and eight leading poets, to create four, striking, double-sided light poems inspired by the Rugby League World Cup strapline ‘The Power of Together.’
The impressive new mobile artworks explore themes of inclusivity, the sound of the stadium, the joy of reconnecting through sports post-lockdowns and the dynamic nature of rugby league. Mounted on the back of trailers, the poems will be unveiled at:
- Orford Park Library – Wednesday 26th October- Poem on site: 2pm-8pm (library open 10am-6pm).
- Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub Library – Thursday 27-Oct Poem on site: 2pm-8pm (library open 6am-10pm).
The Poets and the Poems
The poets – each with a connection to at least one of the host cities – worked in teams to create the four poems.
Team 1: Shane Rhodes and Vicky Foster with Robert Montgomery
Team 2: Jackie Kay and Zaffar Kunial with Robert Montgomery
Team 3: Louise Wallwein and Jacob Polley with Robert Montgomery
Team 4: Malika Booker and Sinéad Morrissey with Robert Montgomery
What magic happens when, instead of writing alone, poets work together?
“I was listening to the Rolling Stones and asking myself what makes the magic, thinking about how the band have a magic electricity together, an elevated energy that they don’t have as solo artists, but how writing together makes magic happen. And I suddenly thought- why don’t poets ever try to write together?” said artist Robert Montgomery.
Strategic Library Manager for LiveWire, Rachel Ralston, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming The Power of Poetry the light poem trailers to Warrington Libraries, and sure it’ll be wonderful experience to see these RLWC inspired poems being hosted by the town’s libraries. We encourage everyone to come along, grab a selfie and experience these stunning poems for themselves.”
