SITTING WITH THE DARKNESS EXHIBITION SHEDS LIGHTON CHILDHOOD TRAUMA THROUGH MULTIMEDIA COLLABORATION

A new arts collective, mee. arts group, is set to unveil its first multimedia collaboration, Sitting with the Darkness, featuring the ceramics of local artist Jane McEwen and a performance from former poet laureate, Thom Boulton.

Jane McEwen, a ceramicist based in the South Hams, is temporarily stepping away from her successful ceramics business to pursue a Masters Degree at Arts University Plymouth. Working predominantly with porcelain on this project, Jane's artistic journey has evolved into a profound response to the abuse she endured as a young child.

In this remarkable collaboration with poet Thom Boulton, Jane found a voice for her fear and pain. She shares, "Thom's words have given me the courage to confront my trauma in a way I never thought possible. There were moments during our collaboration when I hesitated to share the intimate aspects of the poem, but I realised that doing so might help others find the strength to speak out about their own experiences."
As the former Poet Laureate for the City of Plymouth (2016 - 2020), Thom Boulton is a well-known performer in the South West of England, having graced stages at Cross Country Writers, Wonderzoo, Plymouth Language Club, and The Port Eliot Festival. His diverse background includes leading the artistic response to Poppies:Wave, a robotic poetry project with Volume AI, and sitting on the panel for the Mayflower400 cultural bids.

Sitting with the Darkness is an extraordinary exhibition featuring a collection of paintings and porcelain artworks, complemented by a poetic sound-scape performance, experienced in total darkness. This immersive audio experience was inspired by Jane McEwen's artworks developed during her Masters and interviews about her personal journey. Collaborating with Daniel Morgan, the front-man of the Exeter-based heavy metal band Ashen, the original poem has been transformed into a captivating composition featuring instruments and sound clips of the materials used.

Thom expressed his enthusiasm about the event, stating, "We are thrilled to have The Box hosting this performance, as its exceptional acoustics will enhance the immersive experience for everyone involved.” He continued, “Being in the dark isn’t just about cutting out the distractions of the room
— it’s about the concept at the heart of Jane’s work. As the audience, you too are sitting with the darkness and discomfort."

Tickets for Sitting with the Darkness are now available for purchase at £8 per person and can be obtained via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/699849979127?aff=oddtdtcreator
Venue: The Box Date: November 23, 2023 Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Tickets: £8 per person

For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information for press, please contact Thom: greenbanddruid@outlook.com07814 683856