The Poetry Brothel London – Sapphira & Billich – Mystress

It was a delight to be featured at the Poetry Brothel London bringing to life the Mystress creation which was a co-joined project with art from Charles Billich, singing, burlesque and lyrics from Sapphira with music produced by Tonestepa.

The setting could not be more perfect showcased in the tantalising den of iniquity, The Poetry Brothel. The collaboration between Billich and I has spanned 8 years and the evolution of the performance has been created in dark dungeons of Paris, the theatres of Sibenik, Croatia, the Billich Gallery in Sydney and extended to work with music producers in Bristol, Melbourne and London.

I look forward to showcasing more of this project soon which forms the basis of Soliloquy – Naked Poetry.

About The Poetry Brothel

Based in concept on the fin-de-siecle bordellos in New Orleans and Paris, many of which functioned as safe havens for fledgling, avant-garde artists, The Poetry Brothel presents a rotating cast of poets as “whores,” each operating within a carefully constructed character, who impart their work in public readings, spontaneous eruptions of poetry, and most distinctly, as purveyors of private, one-on-one poetry readings in back rooms and other secret and intimate spaces, propitious surroundings for the advent of psychic connections and true poetical/existential experiences. The idea is to purchase a piece of the “whore’s” poetical spirit and absorb yourself in the true nature of readings and literary performances.

For a small fee, all of the “poetry whores” are available for these sequestered readings at any time during the event. Of course, any true brothel needs a good cover; The Poetry Brothel is an immersive cabaret, offering a full bar, live jazz, burlesque dancers, painters, and fortune-tellers, with newly integrated themes, performances and installations at each event.

About Charles Billich

Known for his avant-garde style, contemporary surrealist Charles Billich is one of Australia’s most prominent living artists. A prolific painter, drawer and sculptor for the past 35 years, Charles Billich works in all media forms and specialises in an impressive breadth of subject matter, including ballet, sport, architecture, portraiture, stage and classism.

Migrating to Australia as a 21-year- old in 1956, Charles Billich continued his studies at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and the National Gallery School of Victoria, where he would go on to open the Billich Gallery in 1985 and establish himself as one of Australia’s best-known contemporary surrealist art exports.

Throughout his career, Billich has won many high-profile awards including the Florence Biennale in 2009 and the 77th Honorary Shaolin Monk Award in Henan, China in 2004. He was also awarded the keys to the city of Atlanta during the Centennial Games in 1996.

Loved for his rock star flare and irreverent style, Billich continues to captivate the imagination of collectors across the globe. With unprecedented access to astonishing venues such as the Vatican and the Cote d’Azur in Monaco, Charles Billich has amassed an impressive breadth of work. “Give me something and I am able to work with it,” he says of his ability to adapt.

                      Sapphira & Billich