Over 100 English Literature students heard directly from poet Tim Turnbull who travelled many miles from Perthshire, Scotland to visit us for a very special Q&A (14 October).
Course Leader Will Rowley, said, “Students study Tim’s poem ‘Ode on a Grayson Perry Urn’ as part of their modern poetry unit, and so this event offered a unique opportunity to hear from the poet himself about his work and the ideas behind it.
“After reading his poem aloud, Tim explored some of the political and cultural references within the poem. He also shared insights into the craft of a working poet together with lots of wisdom for any aspiring writers and artists.”
Students put their own questions to Turnbull, including asking how he feels about the different ways his poem has been interpreted by readers and students over the years. His response prompted a wider discussion about the purpose of art and his belief that its role is not necessarily to provide definitive answers, but to encourage us all to ask better questions.
Tim Turnbull is an award-winning poet and performer whose work is known for its wit, humour and sharp social observation. His accolades include an Arts Foundation Fellowship for Performance Poetry, winning the Edinburgh International Book Festival Poetry Slam and being shortlisted for the prestigious Forward Prize for Best First Collection. ‘Ode on a Grayson Perry Urn’ was selected for the influential Poems of the Decade anthology in 2015.
