POETRY PORTRAITS
The Bloomsbury Hotel honours ten eminent poets in an exciting cross-arts project in collaboration with Poet in the City
(London, May 2014): The faces of poets past and present illuminated the Seamus Heaney library at The Bloomsbury Hotel last week as Poet in the City launched the eagerly awaited Poetry Portraits Exhibition. The magnificent Grade II listed Lutyens designed hotel, one of three stylish London properties owned by The Doyle Collection collaborated with Poet in the City on the “Poetry Portraits” project, which sees portraits of ten celebrated wordsmiths exhibited from May until the end of the year.
In conjunction with fine art experts Lavender Hill Studios, Poet in the City hand picked ten prominent poets to be included in the exhibition. Among the famous faces is literary legend and dear friend of The Bloomsbury Hotel, the late Seamus Heaney. Heaney had a long, personal relationship with the hotel, staying there regularly when he visited London.
In fact, the ‘Seamus Heaney’ library was opened by the poet, in 2010 and continues to celebrate the works of a wealth of celebrated visiting poets from all over the world. It houses hundreds of books dating from the 1930’s and a range of 20th century classics, as well as numerous translations, manuscripts and books of Seamus Heaney’s own work, signed and donated by the poet himself. Contemporary Northern Irish poet, Leontia Flynn, who took up the post as the Hotel’s Poet-In-Residence in January, also featured in the line-up and gave a live reading of her work.
Michael Neve, General Manager of The Bloomsbury Hotel said, “We are delighted to be collaborating with Poet in the City in this hugely exciting cross-arts project. The unique pieces of art, produced by a variety of artists from Lavender Hill Studios, are designed to highlight and celebrate the importance of poetry as an art form. It will not only put poetry on a fantastic new platform, but brings poetry into the heart and soul of the hotel, and the wider community.”
The Doyle Collection is a long time Patron of the Arts and The Bloomsbury Hotel is well known in London’s literary circles for its continuous support and contribution to cultural initiatives.
Seamus Heaney’s portrait, painted by Ann Witheridge, and Leontia Flynn’s, by Phoebe Dickinson, will be joined by those of Wendy Cope by Scott Pohlschmidt, Gwyneth Lewis by Ann Witheridge, Jo Shapcott by Jill Hooper, David Harsent by Nick Bashall, Patience Agbabi by Rosalie Watkins, Gerdur Kristny by India Amos, David Constantine by Joni Duarte, Imtiaz Darkhar by Archie Wardlaw and Andrew Motion by Scott Pohlschmidt.
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Note to Editors:
About The Bloomsbury Hotel
Designed by the renowned British architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, The Bloomsbury Hotel is an architectural gem. Greeted by magnificent grandeur and classical proportions - the original features, bespoke art pieces and hand blown Waterford crystal chandeliers interest and inspire. The Seamus Heaney Library oozes its own unique charm and literary history, whilst the classic British creations of the Landseer Bar & Restaurant entice the senses.
About The Doyle Collection
Seeking to revive the traditions of hospitality when travel was a delight and the exploration of a new city exhilarating, The Doyle Collection is a group of eight very stylish hotels located in the most fashionable neighbourhoods of five major cities around the world.
Each hotel is collectively individual with its own unique and contrasting character but all offering the same sense of understated, memorable experiences. Guests are assured of a genuine warm welcome and anticipatory attention from hosts that care ... with every concern for their comfort and well-being. Designed to an exceptional level of specification, quite simply, no stone has been left unturned in creating a collection of uniquely individual hotels.
About Poet in the City
Poet in the City is an exciting and innovative venture philanthropy charity committed to attracting new audiences to poetry, making new connections for poetry and raising money to support poetry education. Specialising in organising high-profile poetry events with leading corporate sponsors and creative partners, Poet in the City is one the UK's fastest growing arts organisations.
For more information, contact:
Anne-Marie McGrath
am@ifpr.co.uk
0207 223 6331
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