Constructing Spaces
19 October 2018 – 31 March 2019
Constructing Spaces was a reconstruction of Scottish poet WS Graham’s Cornish cottage where he lived and wrote much of his poetry. This exhibition celebrated Graham’s centenary year.
Down to the last detail, the reconstruction brought together Graham’s library, his original writing desk, and manuscript copies of his poems to recreate the bohemian environment he worked in. This National Poetry Library exhibition reflected on what makes a space ‘creative’ and how, in turn, these spaces shape our creativity.
Taking a cue from Graham’s writing process of using words like the St Ives painters, visitors had the chance to create their own works using both text and paint together. Visitors were invited to use the exhibition as their own creative space by interacting with the typewriter, bookshelf, his notes and other materials on display and many produced contributions of written and visual poetry.
The exhibition was curated by David Nowell Smith, with National Poetry Librarian Chris McCabe, and was funded by the University of East Anglia. The space was built by Art & Assembly and included a newly commissioned sound installation created by sound artist Jamie Perera. WS Graham’s table was loaned from the Scottish Poetry Library and an extra archive of material was made available by the WS Graham estate.
Constructing Spaces ran at the National Poetry Library from Friday 19 October 2018 to Sunday 31 March 2019.
For your visit
National Poetry Library Southbank Centre
The National Poetry Library is open six days a week.
Tuesday, 12 noon – 6pm
Wednesday – Sunday, 12 noon – 8pm
Getting here
The National Poetry Library is on Level 5 of our Royal Festival Hall.
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Study & library use
The library is London’s only space dedicated to poetry study. Visitors studying another subject or looking for a place to work are kindly asked to find an alternative space in the Royal Festival Hall.