image: © Catrin Osbourne
Osborne & What present a day of events around the theme ‘This Is What The Menopause Looks Like.’
Installation | 11am to 6pm Arnolfini Theatre
A projected photographic and multi media installation by Catrin Osborne, of photographs and interviews with people from across the UK who are going through the menopause.
“The invisible made visible…Against a background of cultural disappearance of middle aged women Catrin has begun to catalogue the loss/advertise the presence.” Billy Chan.
“It is very uplifting, and also empowering to share an open conversation about a topic which, historically, has been associated with shame and secrecy. Together we are stronger.” Maria Gandy.
There will also be an installation, “Making The Change” by Tindara Sidoti-McNary, a Margate based video artist who explores the issue of body image through the lens of feminism and visual culture.
Both works are being shown in the Theatre from 11am to 6pm with a talk about the process and development of the work at 12.30pm to 1.30pm in the Theatre hosted by Catrin and Tindara.
Reconnecting with the Body Workshop | 2pm to 3.30pm in the Light Studio
Bristol-based poet and performer Kat Lyons hosts a creative writing workshop focusing on mid-life women’s poetry and experiences. They produce events, facilitate workshops and are touring their first solo show in Spring 2022. Kat’s debut poetry collection will be published in February 2022 by Verve Poetry Press.
In a world that glorifies youth and youthful beauty, the bodies of older women and peri/ menopausal bodies are often a site of conflict and discontent. This workshop focuses on nurturing positivity and reconnection. Participants will look at women’s poetry exploring the body, examine how the writers bring those experiences to life, and use writing and discussion to explore their own experiences and relationship to their own bodies.
This workshop is for anyone at any stage of their menopausal transition, as well as for anyone approaching menopause who’d like to explore their feelings around it. It is suitable for total beginners up to those who read and write poetry regularly.
SpitFire: Spoken Word Event. Older Voices | 4.30pm to 6.30pm the Light Studio
In collaboration with ‘This Is What The Menopause Looks Like’, local poet and performer Kat Lyons presents a spoken word poetry event exploring menopause and celebrating the experiences of older women. Expect an extract of Kat’s spoken word show Dry Season, sparkling words from three talented guest poets and the chance to take part in an open mic.
