Unmuted

Nigel Kent's collection of ekphrastic poems,"Unmuted", is inspired by a gallery of famous works by artists from the present and the past. Each artwork acts as a frame in a storyboard which he unfreezes and unmutes to reveal the narrative he imagines lies behind it. Even for those who have no interest in art these direct, accessible and moving poems will stand alone and promise to engage with issues that truly matter.

With a gifted painter's deft touch coupled with an awareness that every brush stroke matters, Nigel Kent's ekphrastic poems are a masterclass in the use of telling detail. Each poem stands alone without need of the artwork that inspired it, and reading the pamphlet is as enriching as visiting a gallery, a feast for all the senses. Whether telling stories, exploring philosophical ideas, or interrogating the nature of art itself these poems, by a poet of great range and skill, are captivating, immersive and transportive.

With this collection Kent puts himself in the frame with the masters that he has written to, giving each a new voice. Never mind unmuted, these poems shout at you with their vision, form and craft; and just as you would give a masterpiece pride of place on your wall, you will give this collection a prime position upon your bookshelf.

'If the hands of the past were to reach out and shine a light on our modern lives, this collection of poems is what they would have to say. Nigel Kent has gathered together the muse of antiquity, the craft of classical poets and the inspiration of visual artists, both old and new, and forged something truly breath-taking.'

'These poems contrast as wildly as the artefacts themselves, every one containing a sensitively observed exploration of the human condition with a narrative that is often dark but never loses its compassion or empathy. Nigel Kent breathes new life into each artwork without stealing the mystery of its original intention - whatever that may be.'

Stephen Belinfante, artist