Posthumous launch of Linda Rose Parkes’ book of poetry ‘diving for pearls’ [sold out]

Thursday 2nd June at 7pm will see the posthumous launch of the late author and artist Linda Rose Parkes’ book of poetry ‘diving for pearls’.

ArtHouse Jersey is hosting the event in collaboration with Linda’s children Samuel Parkes Heinrichs and Esther Rose Parkes, inviting people to celebrate this wonderful work during an evening of poetry, music & film at their new exhibition space in St Helier. A limited number of tickets are available.

Linda completed writing ‘diving for pearls’ just before starting chemotherapy last spring, and completed editing it last autumn. She chose the cover design earlier this year and gave clear instructions for what she wanted for the launch, knowing that she would not be there. Linda wanted for her collaborative work with her children Samuel Parkes Heinrichs and Esther Rose Parkes to be integral to the event – so film and song will be part of the evening. In addition, artist Karen Le Roy-Harris will be creating an event specific installation which was part of the dialogue with Linda when planning the event in early March.

Linda Rose Parkes studied Literature at the University of East Anglia. She lived in Germany for 18 years where she taught in adult education and performed with songwriters and musicians. Linda returned to her native Island of Jersey in 1995. In 2005 Linda published her first poetry collection with Hearing Eye, going on to publish five collections. Over the coming years she received various poetry awards, such as first prize for Blue Nose Poetry and runner up twice for the National Poetry Prize. She has published widely in poetry magazines and anthologies.

‘Diving for pearls’ is Linda Rose Parkes’ fifth poetry collection. Of the book poet Gerard Rudolph wrote “This exciting new collection by Linda Rose Parkes is a lament for the world and all its wrongdoings. Parkes’ themes are wide ranging, moving smoothly between the worldly and the personal. This is a collection that looks inward as well as outward. It looks accusingly at the self; its fears and insecurities and how they limit our ability to make a difference, the push/pull between the wants and lusts of the material world versus the needs of the planet. Parkes walks a deft tight-rope between the real and the magical and this is a book where hope sits just below the surface – the hope that people can behave better and that things might change, that the planet might be saved. And throughout it all a sense of love – of loving and being loved, and an optimism that we all need right now.”

Linda’s children Samuel Parkes Heinrichs and Esther Rose Parkes said “Linda was proud of diving for pearls, her fifth collection of poetry, written during the pandemic and challenging times. Linda’s wish was for the book launch to be a generous event, filled with colour, laughter and celebration. Poems will be performed by many of the people who have been part of Linda’s creative journey over the last two decades. Poetry was fundamental to Linda’s life and this book is testament to her tenacity and vision. We feel deeply grateful to be part of this event and to be able to share the evening with those both new and familiar.”