Monday, 14 November 2011
Poet John Siddique goes naked for diabetes
Hebden Bridge based poet John Siddique, along with other notable British poets, has shed his clothing to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, which aims to seek a cure for younger sufferers of Type 1 Diabetes. (Photo: Jojo Stott)
This innovative project, organised by Victoria Bennett of Wild Women Press, placed male poets with female photographers to not only raise money, but to also explore ideas of male beauty. John Siddique said 'I have never been rung up before by someone telling me I am beautiful, and please could I take my clothes off for charity'.
The photographs in the calendar reflect the very different styles of each of the artists involved. 'Leonie Hampton's image of me is very much a work of art,' John said. 'In a world of where images of skinny young people are used to sell us things we don't need, and to make us feel bad about ourselves, it was very moving to actually to be seen for who I am though the eyes of another artist'. The calendar is available though www.wildwomenpress.com
John Siddique's latest work is Full Blood; an accessible, bold, sensuous and highly charged work exploring what it means to be alive, human and mortal. Written over fifteen years, it is John's defining work as a modernist, marking him as one of the most important writers of this time.
A portrait of John by the acclaimed photographer Tim Smith is part of 'Making Britain' which reflects on people with South Asian heritage who have made a significant contribution to the life of modern Britain. Opens on 22nd Nov at the National Media Museum.
John is happy to be available for interview, comment and discussion
See also