Who Am I? Gail Fawcett, Brain Pebble Poet
Based in Kent, I am a poet, graffiti poet & artist. I’m known as @BrainPebblePoet taken from a poem I wrote called, ”I've Got A Brain Pebble”. I think a poem, like a pebble, creates ripples when shared that can inspire/comfort us. In Aug 2022, I printed booklets called "If I only have now”. I left them in public spaces - like the right pebble, people could take the poems with them. Sharing poetry this way reflects my Buddhist practice and the Dalai Lama’s message that “compassion is the radicalism of our time.” I have also created poetry cards that are for sale in local galleries.
In lockdown (2020) I wrote a poem, reacting to Piers Morgan’s racism towards Meghan Markle, called "It's ok, I'm a coconut" depicting my life being mixed heritage (English/Guyanese). This started a creative journey and in April 2022, two poems were published in an anthology “A womb with a heart that beats all over the world” (@SundayMorningsattheRiver).
In 2023 I started spray painting my poems in public spaces, using chalk, working to an ethos of impermanence: a theme in my work. The chalk means the poems degrade and disappear illustrating our temporary natures. In July 23, I received a grant from the Herne Bay Festival, where I live, for a project called @Poetryintheeveryday". This project invited people to stop and find the everyday beauty in our community. My poems are spray painted in London, Margate & Newcastle.
In Nov 2023 I was interviewed by Leo Ulph, BBC Radio Kent, about my work since I also create digital art poetry videos which have been regularly featured on BBC Sounds, most recently on World Poetry Day (21 Mar 24) my reading of ‘I Saw You’ was aired. Performing my poetry is essential so I created a performance space for emerging poets with Brain Pebble Open Mic, at the Umbrella Centre, Whitstable (a social enterprise). My Podcast, called “Finding our Voices” which celebrated National Poetry Day (22) talked about these open mics and was aired on BBC Sounds. In Oct 23, I participated in “Poetry and Paint” at the London Literary Festival at the Royal Festival Hall. An article about my work was published in “Cene” Issue 32, in March 24, a grassroots magazine. More recently I was on BBC Radio Kent talking to Dominic King about my poetry installation, Making Moments Count, at the Gulbenkian Art Centre in Canterbury, celebrating National Poetry day (3 Oct 24). The installation ran for the month.
Since the sudden death of my partner, Dave Fudge in February 2024, my work has taken on a new dimension of impermanence through loss. As a tribute to him, I put his favourite poem of mine “I Saw You” in places of personal significance. Peckham Levels, Margate Lido and the Quayside in Newcastle, where his funeral was held. Dave’s death has taught me that we really do only have now. This is the theme of my installation for the Herne Bay festival this year called “Here, Now.” These seven poems create evocative images of life in the present moment. As an addendum to this, I exhibited my work at Bruce William's Gallery 2 in Whitstable (23-11 August 2024). My work has evolved onto large canvases that can be hung in any environment: a new artistic direction in my grief. The exhibition was a chance for me to celebrate Dave’s life.
