Zena Edwards
: Project Maker
: Poet
: Educator
: Digital Storyteller
Why I write
I dream of returning to water,
Each drop with genius within
I melt into mineral -
iron fleck, porcelain clay
And saltpetre, the spark-catcher,
The seed, and vessel of the Flame.
I’ve been writing since I was a child.
Poetry is the one literary form that has given me space and freedom to truly express the feelings I feel for the awesomeness and drama the world has to offer. For all the years I’ve been writing, the poetic word, performed, spoken or read from the page, has always been the love I return to as a North Star, as an old friend, and as a confidante.
About
Since graduating from Middlesex University and studying storytelling and performance at The London International School for Performing Arts, Zena has been a professional writer/performance poet, curator and creative project developer for over 27 years.
She is known as a renowned award winning UK based poet of African Caribbean British heritage, and she is also known as a multidisciplinary artist, at home with collaborating with musicians, choreographers, environmentalists and visual artists.
The list of acclaimed artists she has worked with include Theaster Gates, Ackroyd and Harvey, Babba Maal, Akram Khan and Hugh Masekela.
Zena was was shortlisted for the Forward Prizes for Best Single Poem Performed for 2023.
Her writing and performance pedagogy is currently exploring movement, storytelling, imagination, and the earth. Embodiment and the natural environment are now crucial writing stimuli for all her new work. Her most recent project, Nature Persists, is exploring this work more thoroughly.
My Work
Events Organisation
Poet Curator
Creating in-person and Online events since 20009, including work with SOAS and Culture Declares Emergency.
Artists Charitable Principle
by Zena Edwards
I have a prevailing Artist's Charitable Principle.
It was recommended to me by a long-ago mentor, Suzanne Allyene.
A charitable principle, to my ethos and way of thinking, is rooted in the alignment of your sense of purpose with a / the cause you wish to support; to see it achieve all its goals, fulfil its intentions, and reach its full potential.
As an artist and a poet whose love of words and their ability to liberate the mind, channel the emotions and give voice to the intellect, imagination, and psyche, I am committed to, not only the space creation for those who love words as I do, but also to support those who wish to create spaces for this to a also.
This is where I gift my labour, experience, and time; for a cause I believe in, and for which I do not have to get paid.
More recently, over the last 7 years I would say, I have been committed to raising awareness around the health of All of Life on Earth.
I will do this without request or need of a fee, remuneration or honorarium.
However, there must be a contractual noted agreement in place that defines boundaries, and stipulates where my practice and ethos aligns and separates from those of the other party with whom I am commissioned by and/or am in partnership or collaboration with.
Access Statement
Dear Reader, I am a high functioning dyslexic and am the creator of my website.
I have no administrative or access support as a self-employed artist at present, and appreciate your understanding. If you do notice any errors in spelling or grammatical sentence structure, please contact me, Thank You.
- Zena Edwards
Education
Zena is passionate about knowledge sharing, becoming animated in education space where there is the opportunity to exchange wisdom, information, bring a vibrant energy to any learning spaces.
With a passion for language, building resilience through emotional literacy, and social justice, Zena has worked extensively in schools and educational institutions around the world.
From Portugal to South Africa, she has collaborated with organizations such as the British Council, Boomsatsuma, The Faith and Belief Forum (formally 3 Faiths Form and Clore Leadership. Matt Schmolle , founder and producer of The Working Party.
Using poetry and dramatic storytelling techniques as a powerful tools to spark a lifelong love for language in student, pupils and participants from age 10 years old and upwards, Zena has taught and led workshops where participants actively notice the transformative power of creative writing and self-expression.
Her education practice aims to inspire confidence, encourage critical thinking, and nurture the next generation of thoughtful, articulate leaders.
"Edwards is a superb performer"
Lyn Gardner
"Her work is deep and sensuous, rhythmic and startling."
Joelle Taylor
Fly - By Zena Edwards
Life told me to "run on the elixir of winds.
Don’t look back. Everyone will be fine.
Stay on you toes. Keep your arms pumping. Keep giving the heart new blood." - This is the ethos of my pen.
Performance
Poet
Zena has been a performance poet from the very beginning of her poetry career and is always exploring the craft. With a passion for storytelling, a captivating stage presence, and a voice that resonates with emotion, Zena is a multidisciplinary artist who has dedicated her life to the world of performance.
“Edwards is a superb performer.” Lyn Gardner, The Guardian
“Convincing, raw performance full of passion and conviction.” The British Theatre Guide
“A deeply original, dramatically dexterous portrait of London’s bewildering kaleidoscope of difficult, defiant life.” Time Out
“An unlimited supply of potent charged poetry, which is moving, relevant, innovative.” Whats On Stage
Writing For Radio
I have had multiple commissions for poetic dramatic writing, creating soundscapes and story-based audio. I was commissioned by Writers Mosaic and the Bernie Grants Arts Centre Windrush Commemoration Day.
I was commissioned to write for BBC Radio Three's adaptation of Virgina Woolfe's Orlando which was nominated for the BBC Radio Drama Awards, and has performed for on Michael Macmillian's 'The Verb' on numerous occasions.
"I told Life but I cannot see the ground now.
It said you do not need to.
You have no business with it this day.
This one is for imagining."
Fly - By Zena Edwards
Poet With Music
Music is at the core of Zena's writing and performance practice.
"For me, poetry is a musical score that deepens the meaning of language in the moment and words are the musical notes ."
Her music collaborations include The Last Poets, composer and guitarist, Femi Temowo, Jamie Woon, and Randolf Matthews, .
She was invited as support for Hugh Masekela and Larry Willis as part of the London Jazz Festival and collaborated with Award Winning musician Senegalese artist Babaa Maal, for Africa Utopia at the Royal Festival Hall.
In Other Words - a collaboration with Jamie Woon. Produced by Apples and Snakes Poetry Organisation
Healing Pool in collaboration with Randolf Mathews, Henrik Jensen, Maurice Velez. Produced by The One Taste Collective
Wood And String in collaboration with Femi Temowo
"A seed cannot burst its kernel
without knowing
unimaginable pressure - the need
to shape-shift, the fire for metamorph is."
Acceptance - by Zena Edwards
Poet Of
Environmental Conscience
Zena has been involved in climate and environmental awareness raising since 2016.
Her poetic advocacy work includes climate and environmental awareness, sustainability, well being and regeneration.
Her writing and performance pedagogy is rooted in identifying the connection to the Earth, the body, human resilience and the imagination which greatly informs her mentorship practice.
Nature Persists her most recent inititiative which uses creativity and somatic principles to view the body as an intelligent vessel that can hold the duality of nature and the man-made environment, and find a wholistic balance of comfort and well being between the two.
News Update: COURSES
I am happy to announce a rebirth of my education practice with some great new courses that are happening now. You can sign up to them via Eventbrite or contact me for more information if you would like to book me to run these courses for your organisation or education space.
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The "And Back Again" Series
Part of the aAture Perists
'From The Pastoral To Dystopia
And Back Again’ Series
A Webinar and Workshops duo in writing poetry and Spoken word to boost vitality against urban fatigue
and to locate and energise yourEco-Poetry and Eco-Oratory voice
Website Builder
I am an advocate for self promotion when you have a good idea you believe in. I have been working with Wordpress blogs and wesbites since 2009, with Wix since 2012 and have a brand new excitement for Squarespace website creation.
This is one of the many strings to my artists bow and I am happy to share this labour with any artists and non-artist who would like new or updated website.
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Synergy Slam Poets
Poetry and Spoken Word Workshop Program and Film Competition
Nature Persists Poetry. A project for gentle & determined creativity for those living in big towns and vibrant cities
Poets Built It Online Community - Poets Supporting Poets
LIVE MUSIC. POETRY Climate Change. Climate Justice. Poetry, storytelling, Visuals & Dance.
SOCIAL MEDIA ARTS PROJECT CONTENT CREATOR
Including organisation outreach content creating, I like to celebrate others.
Let me help you, for an honorarium fee and I will collaborations with you if you are on a low income or have a funding limit to create a good social media brief I can make you look outstanding!
Take a look at three projects, of which I am the founder to see how I campaign for courses, masterclasses and workshops.
