Artist Claire Eastgate will be talking about her Painting the Poets project at a launch event at Kings Place, York Way, London on Wednesday 6 November. Her project involves a series of portraits of conemporary women poets, both established and emerging.

In 2016, Eastgate set out to paint a double portrait of Carol Ann Duffy, the first female poet laureate in the post’s 341-year history, and former National Poet of Wales Gillian Clarke. Her interest in contemporary female poets grew, and she began Painting the Poets. The final collection will comprise around 28 portraits.

Next year the portraits will be exhibited at galleries, museums and art venues with readings and performances by some of the poets. Accompanying the portraits will be short films of the poets being painted and in conversation with the artist. 

At Kings Place Eastgate will be joined in discussion on stage by Gillian Clarke, who will be reading from her latest collection Zoology, TS Eliot prize winner Hannah Sullivan, and award-winning spoken word artist Deanna Rodger. The event starts at 7pm. Earlier poet Lisa Luxx will be roaming in the Kings Place foyer from 6pm. More details