Poetry at The Burrell
The Burrell x Bloomberg Connects
Discovery a suite of newly commissioned poems inspired by 'hidden gems' from the Burrell Collection, written by a selection of Scottish writers, and exploring some of the lesser-known objects in the collection.
Four of the poems were selected by Glasgow’s Poet Laureate, Jim Carruth, from an open competition.
Further poems were commissioned by Burrell from renowned poets Beth Frieden, Liz Lochhead, Nuala Watt, Jim Carruth and Nasim Rebecca Asl.
Explore some of Burrell’s ‘hidden gems’ during your visit – or listen at home.
To listen, download the Bloomberg app
Burrell Poetry competition winners
Craig Aitchison - Poetry competition winner
FuA Scots poem about one of our Chinese jade carvings that plays on a bilingual pun around the word ‘fu’.
Lilya Barnard - Poetry competition winner
Ode to Lain CaiheInspired by the figurines of the Eight Immortals in the North Gallery, particularly that of Lain Caihe.
James Bradley - Poetry competition winner
Peasants Hunting Rabbits with FerretsA response to one of the Burrell Collection’s fifteenth century tapestries.
Julie McNeill - Poetry competition winner
BirthingInspired by the Rodin bronze Mother and Child in Grotto.
Burrell Poetry Commissions
Nasim Rebecca Asl
Two, fallenNasim Rebecca Asl is a Glasgow-based poet and journalist, her poem is inspired by Rodin’s ‘Eve after the Fall’.
Liz Lochhead
Shagreen, Chinese Parrots, Cross-stitch FlowersLiz Lochhead is a Scottish poet, playwright and broadcaster. Her poem celebrates a selection of objects from our ‘Burrells at Home’ gallery.
Jim Carruth
A farm worker visits the Burrell Collection, after discovering they have Dupuytren’s contracture & She Who Was the Helmet-Makers Beautiful WifeIn 2014 Jim became Glasgow’s Poet Laureate. These deeply personal poems explore two objects found in our North Gallery.
Nuala Watt
Video DisplaysNuala Watt’s poems have appeared in various anthologies and have been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and 4. This poem celebrates the museum’s digital displays.
