Live Poetry - The Musicality of Language / Migrations, Memory and Language

How can language carry memory across generations? What is lost, reshaped, or left unsaid along the way? Taking inspiration from Nhu Xuan Hua’s evocative exhibition Of Walking on Fire, this evening brings together three poets exploring the fragility of memory, language and family histories shaped by migration and cultural rupture. Across the exhibition, Hua considers how words can evoke feelings and memories that we may not consciously recall, and how stories are communicated – or withheld – across generations. Responding to these themes, the poets reflect on the languages, silences, and stories carried through diasporic and family histories, and poetry’s capacity to hold stories that might otherwise be lost. The evening will feature Hanan Issa, Seo Hye Lee and Gayathiri Kamalakanthan, who will share a selection of work followed by a short Q&A with the audience. Join us afterwards for a drinks reception and an opportunity to explore Of Walking on Fire. Read more on Autograph's website Performers Hanan Issa is a Welsh-Iraqi writer, filmmaker, and artist. Her work spans multi-disciplines including poetry, essay and prose, theatre, film, and animation. Her work has been featured by Poetry Wales, Poetry Society, Hay Festival, ITV Wales, BBC Radio 3, Radio 4, Wales Millennium Centre, TATE Liverpool, Transpoesie, Cardiff University, National Trust, and the Barbican Centre. She was the 2023 Hay International Fellow and is the current National Poet of Wales until 2027. Gayathiri Kamalakanthan is a Tamil writer based in London. They’re interested in how language shapes belonging and how we might use it to build freer futures. Gayathiri is a recipient of the Poetry Archive Prize and the Disabled Poets Prize. Their play 'Period Parrrty' is a trans Tamil rom-com and opened at Soho Theatre (London) in 2025. Their debut novel-in-verse, 'Bad Queer', is out with Faber. Seo Hye Lee is a deaf South Korean artist based in the UK. Drawing from her lived experience of hearing loss and as a cochlear implant user, she works across drawing, moving image, and multi-sensory installation to explore the intricate terrains of sound and silence. Across her practice, Seo Hye champions accessibility and collaboration, drawing inspiration from both collective and personal encounters with sound. Her research and projects have been supported by the Vital Capacities Residency and Arts Council England's DYCP programme. Your Visit to Autograph Everyone is welcome at Autograph. Planning a visit? Have a look at our Visit Us page to find out more about getting to the gallery, accessibility and more. Limited tickets: This event takes place in the gallery, there are limited tickets to ensure the best experience. Accessible venue: Autograph welcomes people with all types of disabilities. Step free: Our building and entrance is step free. A wheelchair accessible lift goes to all floors. Seating: THis is a seated event. Photography: Please note that photography will take place at this event. Images from this event may be used by Autograph and external press for marketing and promotional use, including: printed and online publicity, social media, press releases, or other use. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let a member of staff know on the day. Drinks Reception: There will be light refreshments available at this event. Ticketing policy The ticket price for this event is £5. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. If this ticket price is unaffordable for you, please get in touch with Ishy at [email protected] Autograph's events are very popular, and often sell out. To provide the best experience for everyone, tickets must be booked in advance for this event, and will not be available on the door . If you need to cancel your ticket for any reason, you can receive a refund up to 24 hours before the start of the event. Autograph supported by Supported using public funding by Arts Council England. Autograph ABP Registered in England no. 2285116 | Registered Charity no. 1127712 Images: 1) Nhu Xuan Hua, Singer “How much love can be repeated?”, Honey baby, 2020. Courtesy of the artist and Anne-Laure Buffard, France. Copyright © Nhu Xuan Hua. 2) Autograph. Photograph by Kate Elliott.