Writer in Residence
David Napthine is our writer in residence during the exhibition, using writing to engage audiences in an exploration of all its themes.
David writes:
I write for radio, theatre and television. I also write librettos, text and audio for multi-arts presentations, and create site-specific theatre performances (e.g. in swimming pools and quarries). My fascination with the mind has led me to explore memory, mental health, “challenging” behaviour, and to undertake workshops and residencies in care homes, hospitals, schools and with voluntary organisations so I’m delighted to be given this opportunity for further exploration of the mind. But I’d like you to join me if you would. You will find at my desk questions, thoughts, activities etc. invitations for you to write (whether I’m there or not). You will see my exploratory writing and my writing in response to your writing which you can then re-write, add to, develop. My wish is to produce a new work about this world of voices that emerges from our collective creativity. And week by week, at the desk and on the website, we will see this new work developing. So, if I’m at my desk it would be a pleasure to spend time with you; if I’m not then please leave me something to read on my return. Thank you.
An invitation to write together
David would like to invite you to work with him on a creative exploration of voice-hearing that will grow over the course of the exhibition. He writes:
I have been writer-in-residence for a couple of weeks and during that time I have spoken to many people who have kindly offered their insights into Hearing Voices either in conversation or in writing.
I am taking these offerings, generously given, and weaving them into a story. What form that story will eventually take I have no idea; it will develop in response to what is said and what is written. It will be continuously re-written and edited in response to the contributions made by you, the reader and the visitor.
Using the best advice I ever had from a professional writer – Don’t get it right; get it written – here are two examples of text created from situations, experiences and words already given. It is a start and I hope they might prompt you to contribute new scenes, descriptions, characters, stories, experiences for this is our story, not mine. All contributions, anonymous or otherwise, will appear in some form on this website and at my desk in the exhibition.
I look forward to you writing with me.
Thank you,
David
24 November 2016
Get involved
When do you hear voices? What do your voices say? Who do your voices belong to?
Click on the images below to access the work in progress and make your contribution to the piece by emailing David directly.
