The digital poem ‘Bard Beneath the Bark’ was written and recorded by hearing impaired Environmental Sound Artist, Cheryl Beer. It was a commission for Disability Arts Cymru, as part of their 'Bring Us Our Creative Rights: Disabled People’s Cultural And International Manifesto,' responding to articles 30 and 32 of the United Nations Convention for the Rights of Disabled People. The manifesto focuses on the rights of disabled people to both enjoy and take part in a cultural life, accessing cultural and international opportunities, with the aim of promoting organisational inclusivity.
‘Bard Beneath the Bark’ draws a comparative dialogue between the discourse of climate crisis and the position of disabled people both within the cultural arts sector and wider society. The human voice of the spoken word poet, shares space with notated oak tree biorhythms from Coed Felenrhyd, composed for piano. Both sit in collaboration throughout, performing in duet. Poignant indeed, as Felenrhyd features in the Mabinogion, Wales’s most ancient story text. Featuring also is the added voice of birdsong from Coed Garth Gell Rainforest, reuniting trees that would once have been joined together under the soil.
Curated by Marc Rees for #PethauBychain