Painting of Jess Thom (Touretteshero), NFS

 

 

Publications

 

It was also International Women’s Day and my work was featured in the March's month of Haus-a-rest magazine. Do take the time to take a peek.

 

I am a blogger for Disability Arts Online and as many of you may know already I interviewed Nancy Wills and wrote a review of the Women in Revolt Art and Activism show at Tate Britain. Check them out and leave me a comment to tell me what you think.

 

 

Did you know?...

 

 

Did you know that April is named after the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite? It is sacred to her Roman counterpart, the goddess Venus, whose calendar, for the fourth month April is spelled Aprilis, and it means ‘to Open’.

 

 

 

As an April born person, I share my birthday with Charlie Chaplin, who also lived in South London and took his famous walk from imitating a group of older people he observed at the Elephant and Castle. He was born in East Street Market off Walworth Road SE17. 

 

I also run a famous walk called the Lagactyl Shuffle, those of you who joined me in February will know how I interwove these stories with the mental health history of Southwark, which has housed some very famous psychiatric institutions at the forefront of their treatment of mental health.

 

 

Haiku Poetry

 

The 17 of April is international Haiku poetry day, which as a dyslexic I find really hard to do. Dyslexia is not just about spelling, it’s the sense of putting language together, so I do write poetry, but my style is spoken word. As a writer I write a stream of words directly from my consciousness, which would not make sense in a regular written format. 

 

During the pandemic I tried out Haikus. I found myself tied in knots as I was seen to not follow the rules! As an artist, I believe rules are made to be broken. However people writing Haikus are typically bound to produce a poem in this order - the first line has 5 syllables, the second line has 7 syllables, and the third has 5 syllables.

 

So here is a Haiku about Dyslexia:

Dyslexic am I,

unable twisted words fall on

incomprehensible (this has 18 syllables)

 

As someone with Dyslexia, I can’t really do this, as it is so difficult for me to even understand what a syllable is!

 

Spring Inspiration

 

 

 

I enjoy this time of year, its rejuvenating energy as the planet starts blooming. Let’s hope this year it’s warm, as I have often had snow as a birthday present. I know April is meant to be about 'April showers', yet it feels as if we have had no end of rain this year. So I hope for some warmer days and sunshine with the back drop of exploding colour. This March, we have already enjoyed the magnificent magnolia trees that bloom in London’s streets, with an explosion of white and every shade of pink imaginable.

 

 

 

Do join me at my up and coming events. It would be lovely to meet all of you who take the time to read my newsletter!

 

 

April – May 2024

 

 

Dark Materials Tell Stories, J/M Gallery, 3 - 9 April

 

The darkening days in which we live give rise to stories of new understandings, a search for meaning within an increasing dystopia, shaking off the overbearing pressure placed upon us, sometimes slipping down into darkness and fighting a way back toward the light. 

 

 

 

Full wheelchair access and supporting diversity of all kinds.

Join us to explore this dark space we inhabit at J/M Gallery, 230 Portobello Rd, London, W11 1LJ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 5th InPractice

On Friday 5 April 2024 6 – 8.30pm I am giving a talk at the Royal Academy as part of the InPractice events where artists give talks about their works Clore Learning Centre, Burlington Gardens - details can be found on the webpage here 

 

Have you had time to go and see the exhibition at on until May the Cheese shop Dulwich village, 1b Calton Ave, London SE21 7DE. Run by: @frederickamia and @eatsaidfred 

 

‘Compassion’ - Group show with South London Women Artists – at Marylebone Church from 25th April with a meet the artists view 5.30 till 8pm on until 29th May at 17 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5LT. 

 

Private view: 25 April. 5-8pm. If you want further details, please email.

 

 

In April I am being commissioned to create five artworks which will be collages on public billboards for Croydon’s public spaces and will be up in mid April. The Sites include: Wandle Park’s community garden and pond; Park Hill Park’s walled garden; and Reeves Corner.  

 

There will be a film screening of my film the Walkie Talkies and an Q&A at 46-47 Trinity Court, Whitgift Centre, Croydon CR0 1UQ in May and June - dates to be confirmed. 

 

 

June 2024

 

Group show with South London Women Artists at the Paxton Centre, 52 Anerley Hill, London SE19 2AE, Tel: 0208 659 4701 

 

Open House Solo show and Stall at Camberwell Arts week on Camberwell Green 

 

Also I have been honoured to have been interviewed by Richard Darwin who writes about disabled Artists on Intstagram - you can find him at @dyslexiadeciphered

 

 

 

No matter what you celebrate I hope you are able to enjoy an Easter egg, the symbol of life. So, enjoy the Spring and I look forwards to meeting you all at one of my events. 

 

You can keep up to date with my events on social media, follow me on Instagram @bahariermichelle remember this is where I share insights and inspiration, including some studio snippets.

 

It is always wonderful to hear from you, know what you enjoy and what takes your fancy.

 

Connect with me on Social Media, stay updated with my latest news, and events, and get behind the scenes glimpses. 

 

Join the conversation, share your thoughts, and become part of our growing  artistic community.

 

-- Michelle Baharier - Artist | Curator | Facilitator