Creative Writing Workshop

About

As part of a series of one day creative workshop aimed at professional and amateur writers/poets including 6th form students who are studying literature and/or arts subjects. Inspired by the work of figurative artist Susie Mendelsson who is exhibiting at the jgallery 7th May to 25th June 2010, participants will experience the challenges of connections between visual art and the written word. During the day there will be a series of thought provoking exercises resulting in finshed pieces of poetry and prose which will be displayed in the gallery alongside Susie's artwork. Workshop Leader Maria Luisa Coelho. We will explore the relevance of gender differences in art in general and in the work by Susie Mendelsson in particular. We will begin with a brainstorming session, during which participants will be asked to come up with words they associate with being male or female. This way, we will expose and also challenge common gender stereotypes. Afterwards, we will discuss the importance of gender and gender differences in the visual arts by focusing on some canonical examples and/or examples brought by the participants (if possible). Finally, after lunch, the participants will have the chance to apply what was previously discussed to the work of Susie Mendelsson: they will pick an example of their preference and explore, through small essays, stories or poems, the way gender is inscribed in that work. We will begin with a brainstorming session, during which participants will be asked to come up with words they associate with being male or female. This way, we will expose and also challenge common gender stereotypes. Afterwards, we will discuss the importance of gender and gender differences in the visual arts by focusing on some canonical examples and/or examples brought by the participants (if possible). Finally, after lunch, the participants will have the chance to apply what was previously discussed to the work of Susie Mendelsson: they will pick an example of their preference and explore, through small essays, stories or poems, the way gender is inscribed in that work.