Poetry Speaks: Poems and Moving Image at IMMA

An exhibition by the Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation and Poetry Ireland, presented by the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) in Dublin from May 10th through August 22nd, 2021.

This exhibition of 33 poetry films captures poets and actors from Ireland, the US, and the UK reading their own poems or works by beloved poets that seek to integrate poetry into everyday life. Presented outdoors in IMMA's formal gardens, the series will appear as a four-part program, with each part focusing on a different theme.

Part 1: Home and Sense of Place – May 10th

Part 2: Identity – June 8th

Part 3: Writing and Reflection – June 30

Part 4: Love – July 28

Irish filmmaker Matthew Thompson's films, made in partnership with Poetry Ireland (Dublin), Druid (Galway), the 92nd Street Y (New York), and Poet in the City (London), bring a photographic perspective to the creative process. Thompson's work crafts an emotionally resonant connection between reader, poem, and setting, inviting the viewer to experience language and performance through the intimacy of his camera's gaze.

Part 1: Home and Sense of Place

• Nithy Kasa reading “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” by W. B. Yeats (Dublin, 2020)
• Selina Nwulu reading her work “Half Written Love Letter” (London, 2019)
• Seán Hewitt reading “Queens” by J. M. Synge (Coole Park, Co Galway 2020)
• Mahogany L. Browne reading her work “If 2017 was a poem title” (New York, 2019)
• Denice Frohman reading her work “Puertopia” (New York, 2019)
• Doireann Ní Ghríofa reading her work “Brightening" (Coole Park, Co Galway, 2020)
• Liz Berry reading her work “The Republic of Motherhood” (London, 2019)
• Camille Rankine reading her work “It Would Sound Like a Dream” (New York, 2019)
• Marian Richardson reading “Girls Bathing, Galway 1965” by Seamus Heaney (Dublin, 2019)

Part 2: Identity

• Sasha Terfous reading her work “Identity.” (Waterford, 2020)
• Martina Evans reading her work “I want to be like Frank O’Hara” (London, 2019)
• Mahogany L. Browne reading her work “Black Girl Magic” (New York, 2019)
• Sofia Oxenham reading “Names” by Mary Jean Chan (London, 2019)
• Paapa Essiedu reading “Kumukanda” by Kayo Chingonyi (London, 2019)
• ATMOS Collective (Alice McDowell, Theophilus Ndlovu, and Benjamin Enow Oben) performing their work “The Illegitimate” (Coole Park, Co Galway, 2020)
• Tyehimba Jess reading his work “Blind Boone’s Blessings” (New York, 2019)
• Kayssie K reading her work “My Sister as a Body” (Bray, Co Wicklow, 2020)

Part 3: Writing and Reflection

• Juliet Stevenson reading “Hope is the thing with feathers” by Emily Dickinson (London, 2019)
• FeliSpeaks reading her work “What Heaney Said” (Coole Park, Co Galway, 2020)
• Dagogo Hart reading his work “Paper Planes” (Dublin, 2020)
• Catherine Dryden reading “Some Rules” by Wendy Cope (London, 2019)
• Seán Hewitt reading his work “Barn Owls in Suffolk” (Coole Park, Co Galway, 2020)
• Nithy Kasa reading her work “Charcoal Iron” (Dublin, 2020)
• Joseph Aldous reading “An Advancement of Learning” by Seamus Heaney (London, 2019)
• Doireann Ní Ghríofa reading “The Heart of the Wood” by Lady Gregory (Coole Park, Co Galway, 2020)

Part 4: Love

• Aaron Monaghan reading “When All the Others Were Away at Mass” by Seamus Heaney (New York, 2019)
• Hannah Lowe reading her work “Reggae Story” (London, 2019)
• FeliSpeaks reading “When You Are Old” by W. B. Yeats (Coole Park, Co Galway, 2020)
• Samuel Yakura reading “10 Things I Want To Say to a Black Woman” by Joshua Bennett (Dublin, 2020)
• Theresa Lola reading her work “Ode to Edge Control Gel” (London, 2019)
• Denice Frohman reading her work “Doña Teresa and the Chicken” (New York, 2019)
• Andrew McMillan reading his work “A Gift” (London, 2019)
• Tyehimba Jess reading his work “Blind Boone’s Vision” (New York, 2019)

About IMMA - Irish Museum of Modern Art

IMMA is Ireland’s National Cultural Institution for Modern and Contemporary Art. Nestled in 48 acres of land in the heart of Dublin 8, IMMA’s home is the extraordinary historical site of the 17th century Royal Hospital Kilmainham. Its program extends beyond the gallery space, activating the beautiful grounds and buildings of the entire campus. A visit to IMMA can include time to discover, connect and reflect in its galleries, grounds, formal gardens, meadows, café, and shop. IMMA is home to the National Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art, started in 1990 and now numbering over 3,500 artworks by Irish and international artists.

About Poetry Ireland

Poetry Ireland connects poetry and people and is committed to achieving excellence in the reading, writing, and performance of poetry throughout the island of Ireland. The non-profit organization, established in 1978, combines its role as a promoter and supporter of poetry with advocacy for poets, advancing the art form through solid development goals.

It works to make poetry more accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds across the island of Ireland, through live events, education, and publications. Poetry Ireland is currently working with its partner The Irish Heritage Trust on a long-held ambition to establish the Poetry Ireland Centre in Parnell Square, Dublin 1, dedicated to celebrating, supporting and promoting poetry and poets. Poetry Ireland is one of the few organizations that receives funding from both Arts Councils on the island.