In this episode Helen talks with T.S. Idiot. Exploring creative poetry production and our writing through journeys in mental health. Recorded outdoors with background sounds of the city.  

'Sadness and joys are congealed in the cracks of life' - T.S. Idiot

Tom Stockley (AKA T.S. IDIOT) is a queer artist, writer, performer and producer, working across the South West. Informed by a century of counter-culture, their practice flirts with the humour, beauty and sadness of every day life by any means necessary. After graduating from a Fine Art BA in 2016, they have expanded their practice to include collage, photography, short films, theatre and live performance, often created collaboratively with other artists and in community settings. They are interested in our human experience, collectively and as individuals, creating conversations around identity, culture, mental health and the places we call home. They are also a qualified youth worker and have been working in youth and community roles since 2011, and believe in the value of all people who feel othered and abandoned. They are an alumni of several UK Young Artists residency programmes and a Cultural Secretary for Tate St Ives, as well as writing for BBC Arts and performing across the UK at nights hosted by the likes of Apples & Snakes and Raise The Bar. Their poetry zine SPIT & MARGARINE was self-published in 2020, and their short story Lipstick Traces is due to be published by Bitchin' Kitsch. Through 2021, they have been producing poems and images for their #pandemicpoems collaborative project, writing stories and short films, developing live performances and making DIY theatre for communities and young people. They are also the host of IDIOT TALK, a monthly show on 1020 Radio.

Social Media:

Website - https://tomstockley.weebly.com/

Instagram/Twitter: @tstheidiot

Facebook: /tstheidiot

Interview and editing by Helen Sheppard | Write Out Loud