A new piece of permanent artwork at Palmers Green Triangle provides a memorial to one of PG's most famous former residents, the poet Stevie Smith, who up to now has been memorialised only by a blue plaque on the house in Avondale Road where she lived for nearly all her life.
The new artwork was commissioned by Palmers Green Action Team using funds provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to Enfield Council's Stories of Enfield project. The artist, Ruth Hallgarten, who inscribed Stevie Smith's poem The Pleasures of Friendship, explains the thinking behind the unusual execution of the work:
"I imagined Stevie Smith typing her poetry and used the typewriter font within the Corten steel, with the negative space to allow the plants to grow through the letters. I hope her words continue to give pleasure to passers by."
The Action Team hope that the project will trigger local interest and pride in this nationally recognised poet. In addition to installing the memorial, the team worked with Poppy Medenis, who runs the local poetry workshop People with Voices, and with local writer Martin Jenkins. At workshops last week, for both adults and children, participants explored and responded to Stevie Smith's poetry, creating a range of artworks which will be displayed at a special evening of talks and readings celebrating her life and works. This will be held at St John's Church Hall on Sunday 16th October - advance booking needed, but the event is free.
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New artwork celebrates Palmers Green poet (Enfield Dispatch 12 October 2022)
