This September Paul Coombs will be starting his Studio4 Summer residency, creating a new, spoken-word performance work. The piece, ‘Sections’, will explore any lasting impacts of recent anti-gay legislation in this country on those who grew-up under their shadow. Paul is particularly interested in any persisting detrimental effects on mental health, self-confidence, relationships, or learnt behaviours.
Collaging his own recollections with those of others, along with excerpts of political speeches, legislative texts, and media reaction, Paul will perform the piece within the studio, which will become an immersive sketchbook of scribbled ideas and scratched experiences.
Prior to the residency Paul is seeking input from anyone identifying as LGBTQI+, who was of school-age at any time before 2014 (the year gay marriage was permitted, granting equal legal rights for homosexual people in the UK for the first time). If this is you and you would like to contribute, Paul would very much like to hear from you. There is an online questionnaire available to complete on his website. Alternatively, you can e-mail him your thoughts to sections@paulcoombs.co.uk or contact via DM on Instagram @coombspaul.
All contributions will be anonymous. However, if you wish to be named you will be credited as a contributor. The first 20 contributors will each receive an original, signed, postcard-sized collage created during the residency. The deadline for contributions is Sunday 5th September 2021.