The University of Cape Town’s Centre for Curating the Archive (CCA) and Gordon Institute for Performing and Creative Arts (GIPCA) will host the launch of Age is a Beautiful Phase (2nd ed) by esteemed South African poet, James Matthews.
James Matthews, called everything from “legend” to a “die hard dissident”, is a profound thinker and writer. He is renowned for his moving poetry as he is for his wicked sense of humour, all matched by a deep regard for the world in which he lives, writes and thinks. His poetry responds to a particular cry that argues for the recognition of bodies and lives, and how we consider people in all manner of complexities, spaces and times.
Matthews submitted his first pieces of writing to magazine sections of the Cape Times and Cape Argus, nearly 70 years ago. In 1962 he published a collection of short stories, The Park and Other Stories, and in 1972 his first collection of poetry, Cry Rage. Seven additional poetry anthologies and a novel were to follow. Matthews established the first black-owned gallery in Cape Town, as well as the first black-owned publishing house, BLAC (1974). He is the recipient of National Honours from the South African government, Civic Honours from the City of Cape Town, and the holder of an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Western Cape.
For the first time, selected poems have been translated into Xhosa and Afrikaans, as well as quotes from the poet that speak to his friendship with artist Peter Clarke.
Age is a Beautiful Phase (2nd ed) is edited by Siona O’Connell, with photographs by George Hallet, Rashid Lombard and Benny Gool, this second edition of Age is a Beautiful Phase is a CCA publication.
WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday 11 June at 17:30 at Hiddingh Hall, University of Cape Town (UCT) Hiddingh Campus, Orange Street, Cape Town; and is free. Refreshments will be served from 17:00; no booking is necessary.
NOTE: the James Matthews documentary ‘Diaries of a Dissident Poet’ will be shown at the Labia on Sat 15 June at 17:45 as part of the Encounters Film Festival.
PHOTO CREDIT: George Hallet
