Poetry in Lockdown by John Birtwhistle

John Whitehurst, by Joseph Wright, c.1782 - 1783, oil on canvas. On loan to Derby Museums from a private collection, UK.

An Inquiry into the Portrait of John Whitehurst by Joseph Wright of Derby.

Early in lockdown, poet John Birtwhistle wrote a series of poems in response to the sudden lack of access to museums and galleries near him. In one of these poems John writes about Joseph Wright’s portrait of John Whitehurst, displayed in Derby Museum & Art Gallery. 

We were delighted when John shared his piece with us and asked him if he would consider making a recording of him reading the poem. John agreed and his wife Mireille filmed John at home in their garden. 

You can watch the film below – subtitles are available. 

You can download the poem here. 

For more information about John and his work, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Birtwhistle.

John’s latest book of poems ‘In the Event’ will be published by Carcanet Press later this year.