Episode 072 – Testament, Creative in The Yorkshire Dales National Park

We are so exited to bring you a special mini series of podcast episodes created in collaboration with identity on tyne and their Black Nature in Residence Programme. 

Created and project coordinated by your host Dr Sheree Mack, the Black Nature in Residence Programmed (BNIR) aims to offer creative opportunities within nature for the global majority.  Started in 2019, the Black Nature in Residence Programme not only offers time and space in nature for creatives, focusing on the creative process and practices rather than putting the pressure on to produce produce and produce. The process is the focus rather than the outputs and outcomes. identity on tyne believes that when you give creatives the time and space to {BE},  something magical happens in the way they see themselves and their practice. The creatives have permission to play, experiment and create on their own terms. And nature is the guide in this process.

In this episode Sheree talks to Testament about his residency in the Yorkshire Dales. They talk about:

* Where Testament is situated

* What he does and how he came to doing this?

* How Testament 's residency has been going?

* Testament's research and critical tabulations around the runaway slave Thomas Anson ( Apologies for using Hansen in the podcast introduction)

* Fugitive and fugitivity

* Being artists and the mycelium network

* Patterson Joseph and his 2022 debut novel The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho 

* Self-care practices 

 

Bio: Testament is an acclaimed writer, spoken word artist, playwright and rapper. He is currently based in West Yorkshire.
Testament’s work has received praise from a wide range of voices including Lemn Sissay, Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, writer and graphic novelist Alan Moore (Watchmen/ V for Vendetta), actor and writer Patterson Joseph, BBC presenter Lauren Laverne and the
originator of Hip- Hop DJ Koolherc.
Testament is passionate about using words to connect communities and ideas, and in so doing challenge assumptions and start conversations. Testament has worked as a freelance artist since 2007, teaching, writing and performing nationally and internationally. As well as writing and performing, Testament has done extensive work as an educator and workshop facilitator.
Before becoming a writer, as a musician in 2009 Testament released an acclaimed album No Freedom Without Sacrifice under his “Homecut” moniker featuring Grammy Winner Corinne Bailey Rae, MOBO winner Soweto Kinch and US rap legend J-Live among others.
He also features on the MOBO jazz nominated album Faces by David Lyttle.