Work
2023
HOW DO WE TALK ABOUT KNIVES
Anthology of new work, How Do We Talk About Knives: contemporary writers in Scotland on names, language and identity. Co-editor, with Marcas Mac an Tuairneir and Samina Chaudhry, published by Matecznik Press. Features RS's own poem 'How do I talk about knives'. Launched at the National Library of Scotland, Nov 2023; and featured on BBC Radio Scotland's Sunday Morning programme, 19 Nov 2023.
VELELLA VELELLA
Poetry film, with Steve Smart and Alex South: shortlisted for the Scottish Arts Trust's Scottish Landscape Awards, exhibited at City Art Centre, Edinburgh Nov 2023 - Mar 2024. Shortlisted and part of the Official Selection for the Ó Bhéal International Poetry-Film Festival.
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2022
ROAD & RAIL
Play, published as a special edition with illustrations by Scottish artist John Johnstone. Available here.
VELELLA VELELLA
Poetry film, made by Steve Smart with original score by Alex South, from RS's poem. Available here. Part of the official selection for Fotogenia International Festival of Filmpoetry 2022, Mexico City.
THE SPRIGS
Poetry, a series of 5 bespoke concrete poems created to accompany new work by artist Kirsty Lorenz, for her exhibition Recipes for a Miracle, Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries.
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
Supported by Creative Scotland and the Centre for Energy Ethics (CEE, University of St Andrews), inaugural Artist in Residence with CEE 2022-2024, to research and write a new collection of poetry (Tapsalteerie 2024).
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2021
VELELLA VELELLA
Poem, commissioned for Magma Poetry #81 (Anthropocene, Oct 2021) - part of AHRC-funded Poetry, Geology and Environmental Science Collaboration led by Yvonne Reddick (UCLan).
ROUGH CURRENCY
Poetry. Published by Tapsalteerie. Supported by the RSL Literature Matters Awards 2020. Received 2nd prize in The Art of Energy Awards 2021, Centre for Energy Ethics (University of St Andrews).
NOTES FOR A TRAVELLER
Poetry, visual installation. Published by Souterrain Press. Set of visual poetry oracle cards, commissioned by An Lanntair for the exhibition Kiosk / Buth.
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2020
THIS
Digital interactive poetry reading, with Steve Smart. Commissioned by StAnza: Scotland's International Poetry Festival and Book Week Scotland. Finalist in the Brush & Lyre Prize for Multimedia Poetry.
THE BEGINNERS
Poetry and sound art publication (Souterrain Press), with sound artist Simon Whetham. Words, images and sounds gathered from a series of earthworks in Fife.
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2019
PERIPHERAL VISIONS
A collection of prose and poetry. Commissioned and published by Edge Hill University. Creation of a site-generated performative oracular system of maps, text and images.
2018
POETA
Commissioned by Generator Projects (Dundee) and artist Michael Curran to create a perfume and publication in response to Muriel Spark’s life and work; for the exhibition Scottish Lady Tiger.
SCENT/Memory
Limited Edition series of original scent-blends with accompanying booklets: Kimberly (after Patti Smith), Bosco's Tower (after Henri Bosco and Gaston Bachelard), and Mackinaw (after Jackson C Frank).
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2017
FOUND TAROT
Installation and publication. Site-generated tarot card images with new writing - made for exhibition with WASPS Dundee at Verdant Works High Mill, Dundee.
FIVE CHARMS FOR THE POTINGAIR
Poetry. Limited edition box-set of poems and essential oil scent-blends referencing medieval alchemy.
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2016
POETRY APOTHECARY
2016-2020, a project making new work and delivering participatory workshops; exploring writing, alchemy, scent and sustainability. Archive page coming soon.
FIVE CHARMS FOR THE POTINGAIR - installation
Poetry. Site-specific installation of poems and perfumery first created for StAnza: Scotland's International Poetry Festival 2016 as Poet-Perfumer in Residence.
THE AIR THAT CARRIES THE WEIGHT
Play. Commissioned by Stellar Quines theatre company, and supported by the Tom McGrath Trust. Performed at the Traverse theatre, Edinburgh. Directed by Muriel Romanes, designed by John Byrne, score by Pippa Murphy.
2015
THE WAKEFUL CHAMBER
Play. Commissioned by A Play A Pie and A Pint, Aberdeen Performing Arts and Sound Festival. Directed by Emily Reutlinger, score by Pippa Murphy. Performed at the Lemon Tree, Aberdeen and Oran Mor, Glasgow.
2014
THE UNMAKING OF MARY SOMERVILLE
Play. Commissioned by Stellar Quines for the Untaught to Shine series - created and performed site-specifically at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh.
FOR THE BEES
Text for performance with music. Commissioned by Mr McFall's Chamber and Remembered/Imagined. Drawing from the archive of Scottish Studies at Edinburgh University. Score by Ailie Robertson.
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2013
RULES OF THE MOON
Text and performance, with sound artist/composer Philip Jeck. Supported by Arts Council England. First performed at The Bluecoat (Liverpool). Also performed at Hidden Door Festival, Leith Theatre (2017).
FUN KONG
Poetry. For exhibition with Scottish Poetry Library / Edinburgh Printmakers, The Written Image. Created as a linocut print by Matthew Carey Simos.
THE TIGER ACT
Poetry. Published by Roncadora Press, artist-made editions by Hugh Bryden.
UNMAPPED
Poetry. Published by Souterrain Press. With artist Anna King, exhibition of poems and paintings. Shown at StAnza Poetry Festival 2013, and the Royal Glasgow Institute for the Fine Arts Kelly Gallery. Supported by Creative Scotland and StAnza.
2012
LITTLE FORKS / FORCAN BEAGA
Prose and performances. Published by Souterrain Press. Collaborative live literature performances in English and Gaelic at various venues throughout UK, 2012-2014. Supported by Creative Scotland and Gaelic Books Council.
WHALE SONG
Text and performance. Referencing Liverpool maritime and industrial history, shanties and Broadside ballads. Illustrated by Gill Smith; performance with original songs by Mark Magill (musicians Mark Magill, Annamarie Owens and Rebecca Sharp), animations by Gill Smith, narrated by Cathy Butterworth. Performed at St Bride's Church, Liverpool; and The Bluecoat, Liverpool.
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2011
THE SOLDIER'S REST
Poetry installation with artist Claire Bates, exhibited as part of the Liverpool Independents Biennial.
THE CLEARING
With sound artist Simon Whetham. Improvised harp with field recordings of dawn chorus birdsong, recorded live. CD/MP3/WAV released by Gruenrekorder (Gr 077).
FATHOMING: SETTING POETRY TO SILK
A triptych of poems as smocked silk artefacts. With textile artist Eva Fulinova. Shown online and at The Bluecoat, Liverpool.
2010
THE BALLAD OF JUNIPER DAVY AND SONNY LUMIERE
Poetry. Published by Spike, Liverpool. Commissioned by METAL Liverpool. Site-specific performances of the poems with original score and visual installations, co-devised and created with artist Elizabeth Willow. Supported by METAL Liverpool and Arts Council England.
2009
THE MYSTERY WORKSHOP
CD recording. Original harp and spoken-word compositions, with cello by Sofie Roberts.
INTO THE TILT
Spoken-word performance. Commissioned by Chester Performs.
2008
ELIZA AND THE BEAR
Performance, music. Original score for Eleanor Rees's long poem, text performed by Cathy Butterworth, various venues.
2006
DANGER: HOLLOW SIDEWALK
Play. Commissioned by the Arches theatre, Glasgow; directed by Neil Doherty.
2002
LAST CHILD
Play. Performed at HERE Arts Center NYC, dir. Michele Travis. First commissioned by Andy Arnold and performed at the Arches theatre, Glasgow 2001; dir. Neil Doherty.
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