Jayden BECKWITH – Queensland
Australian Army (2016 – present)
Creative Writing ~ Program 19.2
Jayden BECKWITH, 2019
‘Imag-Eye-Nation’
Poem: Jayden Beckwith
Photo edit: Jayden Beckwith
Photograph: Kathleen Hazeldene
160 x 120 cm
Artist’s Context – Poem: Imag-Eye-Nation
Inspired by the colours of the human eye and how they can be like a window to the soul
of an individual. The photo was edited in order to bring focus to the colours of the eye.
Jayden BECKWITH, 2019
‘Tribute to the Fallen’
Poem: Jayden Beckwith
Photo edit: Jayden Beckwith
Photograph: Google Images
Approx 48 x 63 cm
Artist’s Context – Poem: Tribute to the Fallen
The written piece was a result of an impending visit to the Australian War Memorial.
Overlaid on an image of a soldier walking through a field of poppies, symbolic of our history.
Jayden BECKWITH, 2019
‘Paradise’
Poem: Jayden Beckwith
Photo and edit: Jayden Beckwith
64 x 48 cm
Artist’s Context – Poem: Paradise
This piece was a result of a haiku walk and my desire to experiment in digital art.
Jayden BECKWITH, 2019
‘Upon the lake shore’
Poem: Jayden Beckwith
Photo and edit: Jayden Beckwith
64 x 48 cm
Artist’s Context – Poem: Upon the lake shore
An experimentation of combining writing and digital art.
Heavily inspired by my own personal struggles with a layer of fog
representing the uncertainty of my future.
Jayden BECKWITH, 2019
‘A Winding Path’
Poem: Jayden Beckwith
Photo and edit: Jayden Beckwith
64 x 48 cm
Artist’s Context – Poem: A Winding Path
An image taken upon my first arrival in Townsville in November 2016. Little did I realise that
the ‘old man’ I had captured in my photo would soon become a personification of how I felt.
Artist’s Context – Poem: Restless Nights
This poem was written in 2020 as I wrestled with my personal demons,
choosing to use my pain and struggles as a fuel for a creative force.
Lay down,
try and sleep.
Forget your woes
it’s rest you need.
It’s not so easy,
mind runs fast.
Emotions flare,
behind my mask.
Tossing and turning
throughout the night.
Eyes wide open,
A mental fight.
Lay down,
try and sleep.
It’s quite hard,
when thoughts run deep.
Missing days,
there was no care.
Instead stuck here,
barely there.
Free to move,
not anymore.
Pain increased
as sanity tore.
Lay down,
try and sleep.
Toss and turn,
stop and weep.
Roll over
face the door.
Watch the shadows,
cast on the floor.
Each take shape
feeding on fear.
Preventing sleep,
morning draws near.
Get up.
Get dressed for the day.
Trudge along
and try be okay.
Artist’s Context – Poem: Four Weeks
This piece was inspired by my time on ARRTS Program 19.2.
Being able to sit back and reflect on how twenty-five different individuals were
able to form bonds in a matter of a couple of weeks was truly a sight to behold.
Twenty-five strangers
with only one clue,
from all walks of life
is all they knew
The weeks went one
two three four,
friendships grew quickly
of that we were sure
Along this journey
we opened our hearts
learning about each other,
and our streams of arts
Thrown together
in Alexandra house
each
loud as a mouse
We rallied together
twenty-five strong
using the words we write,
to sing our song
This group is family
on our shoulders we lean
the last four weeks
are the best they have been.