Constructing Spaces

W. S. Graham installation | The Southbank Centre Poetry Library

Constructing Spaces exhibition was curated by David Nowell Smith, with National Poetry Librarian Chris McCabe, and was funded by the University of East Anglia. The space was built by Art & Assembly and included a newly commissioned sound installation created by sound artist Jamie Perera. WS Graham's table was loaned from the Scottish Poetry Library and an extra archive of material was made available by the WS Graham estate.


Enter the creative space WS Graham used to write his poetry in a reconstruction of his Cornish cottage, in an exhibition celebrating his centenary year. The sound offering in this reconstruction was an hour long soundscape, comprising of rare audio of Graham consulting his wife, reciting poetry and typing in a space that creaks underfoot while the sea and wind roars outside.


Down to the last detail, the reconstruction brought together Graham's library, his original writing desk, and manuscript copies of his poems to recreate the bohemian environment he worked in. This National Poetry Library exhibition reflected on what makes a space 'creative' and how, in turn, these spaces shape our creativity.


Taking a cue from Graham's writing process of using words like the St Ives painters, visitors had the chance to create their own works using both text and paint together. Visitors were invited to use the exhibition as their own creative space by interacting with the typewriter, bookshelf, his notes and other materials on display and many produced contributions of written and visual poetry.


Constructing Spaces ran from Friday 19 October 2018 to Sunday 31 March 2019.