Painting the Poets
A Portrait Artist’s response to contemporary voices in poetry
Painting the Poets is a unique project: a collection of painted portraits by Clae Eastgate that celebrates the lives and work of some of the UK's finest contemporary female poets.
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Clae has created a legacy project documenting an unprecedented time in history where a growing cohort of women are making their voices heard through writing and performing poetry that brings fresh perspectives to contemporary issues and mores.
"The Poets" - A portrait of Gillian Clarke and Carol Ann Duffy
“I’m thrilled with this painting which captures my dear friend, the Welsh poet Gillian Clarke, and I at work and in conversation at Ty Newydd. “ Carol Ann Duffy
Sabrina Mahfouz
Kim Moore
The vibrant portraits reflect the rich diversity of the UK’s poets; the art of portraiture and the poetry of these powerful voices merging together. The project began in 2018 and has begun a series of exhibitions and events to engage and inspire a broad and diverse audience.
Victoria Adukwei Bulley
Melissa Lee Houghton
The idea for Painting the Poets was conceived as Clae worked on a double portrait to honour the important contribution to poetry of Gillian Clarke, former National Poet of Wales and Carol Ann Duffy, DBE, whose term as Poet Laureate ended in May 2019. The painting was exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery BP Award 2017, which went on to tour the UK.
"The Hare and the Moon" - A portrait of Gillian Clarke
"Air and Light" - A Portrait of Carol Ann Duffy
Both portraits of former Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy and former Scotts Makar, Jackie Kay, were acquired for the permanent Modern Portraiture Collection at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in 2020 and 2022.
"Red Red" - A Portrait of Jackie Kay
" What an important thing you are doing. All of us, through our own different histories, have found our voices; but you are giving us our faces back."
Imtiaz Dharker 2019, Kings Place
Imtiaz Dharker
Poetry and art can document and spur transformation. An integral aim is for the project to demonstrate the power of poetry in providing a platform for speaking of, from, and against oppression -wherever it is to be found.
Heather Phillipson
Joelle Taylor
A video portrait of Joelle Taylor reading from 'Cunto' Winner of the TS Eliot Prize 2022.
Deborah Alma, founder of the Poetry Pharmacy
Hollie McNish
Somebody Else
If I was not myself, I would be somebody else.
But actually I am somebody else.
I have been somebody else all my life.
It’s no laughing matter going about the place
all the time being somebody else:
people mistake you; you mistake yourself
Jackie Kay
Jackie Kay
"What a triumph that was last night! Your paintings are astonishing, and listening to you speak, it was clear - even to people who knew nothing before - what an important thing you are doing. All of us, through our own different histories, have found our voices; but you are giving us our faces back."
Imtiaz Dharker
Women in Frame at Kings Place, London
Poet in the City Venus Unwrapped season 2019
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Gillian Clarke
Former National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarkes portrait (right) was recently acquired by the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth for their permanent collection.
Menna Elfyn
A video portrait of Menna Elfyn reading Measurements, one of a series of poems written about the Abervan disaster and the catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil tip on 21 October 1966.
"I am You"
In 2022 I sent an unused canvas, that had been sitting in my studio gathering dust, to the poet Jane Burn. An accomplished poet and illustrator, Jane and I had met the year before at the Kendal Poetry festival where the collection of portraits was on exhibition. I wanted to try something a little different, so I asked her if she would collaborate on a portrait. She agreed and painted the extraordinary background seen here in her portrait. When she had finished she returned the painting to me and I completed the portrait by painting her within the background.
Jane Burn
"I don't stand, I lean..."
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A day with Carol Ann Duffy, TÅ· Newydd
Carol Ann Duffy, Ty Newydd
Carol Ann Duffy, 'Hands'
Mona Arshi
