Rising Star: Lemn Sissay, poet

Boyd Tonkin
Friday 24 October 2008 00:00 BST
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Not so much a rising as a resurgent star, perhaps, poet and performer Lemn Sissay has never so visible, and audible, on so many fronts. His installation 'Washing Lines' forms part of the Poetry International festival at the Southbank Centre (from today).

He is the Centre's artist in residence, has just returned from an Arctic expedition with the eco-conscious artists of Cape Farewell, and is in the middle of an international tour. His poem about slavery, 'The Gilt of Cain', now stands on a sculpture in the City of London.

Canongate has released his latest collection, 'Listener'. Born in Lancashire, of Ethiopian background, he made his debut in 1988 with 'Tender Fingers in a Clenched Fist', followed by 'Rebel without Applause', 'Morning Breaks in the Elevator', and 'The Emperor's Watchmaker'. He will be reading at the Southbank Centre on 29 October.

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