Creative pair work together

Nov 30 2010 By Evening Gazette

A TEESSIDE poet and a local photographer have inspired each other, resulting in an eclectic book of their work.

Poet Linda Robinson and landscape photographer David Tarn have collaborated their work to produce Words and Pictures.

The book is made up of Linda’s poetry and David’s photography, resulting in a mix of traditional and contemporary themes and images.

Linda, who lives in Billingham, said: “Me and David went to Northfield School together.

“We then met up again at a reunion and decided to do something together.

“So three years ago we started on this book. It is a very eclectic book.”

One of the most prominent features of the book is the work they both completed to highlight the plight of steelworkers in Teesside.

Last year, Linda read her poem, Steel River, during her hour on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square and raised the Save Our Steel banner to raise awareness of the steelworks on Teesside.

The poem and photographs to accompany Linda’s words are now a feature many will consider as the highlight of the book.

Linda said: “Steel River is one of the most prominent poems in the book after I read it out on the Plinth last year.

“I am a third generation steel family member so it was an honour for me to do this.”

Talking about their book at the launch at ArtsBank in Saltburn, David who lives in Norton, said: “With Words and Pictures we were very much inspiring each other.

“I would take photographs that would inspire her poems and she would write poems that would inspire my photographs.

“It is definitely something we would consider doing together again. It was a great experience.”