Wilko Johnson is the guitarist from 1970s band Dr Feelgood, whose fierce stage performances became the classic image of rock and roll and inspired countless imitators. We’ll be showing Oil City Confidential, Julien Temple's film about Dr Feelgood, followed by a Q&A; with Wilko. Also, don’t miss the rare opportunity to hear Wilko giving an Astronomy lecture in the Idler's Academy.
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The spectacular Round Room will host its very own 21st century scientific society. The World of Wonders brings together three visionary artists; Keith Albarn, David McCandless and James Bridle in a joint lecture that mashes art with maths and includes the demonstration of a computer made soley of matchboxes.
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Port Eliot extends a warm welcome back to writer-poet Ross Sutherland, following the overwhelming success of last year’s Found in Translation, performed with Tim Clare and Joe Dunthorne. Described as “sublimely twisted” (Scotsman), Ross has won numerous awards and was included in the Times’s Top Ten Literary Stars of 2008. He’ll be performing his one-man show The Three Stigmata of Pacman at this year’s festival.
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Described as “the force behind the wild swimming movement” (Triathlon), Kate Rew is founder of the Outdoor Swimming Society and author of Wild Swim (2009), the definitive guide to swimming in Britain’s great outdoors. A huge hit at last year’s festival, we’re delighted to welcome her back to lead us on more inspiring swims in such a beautiful setting.
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Magnum photographer Martin Parr is a self-proclaimed ‘populist’ photographer who’s had almost 50 books published and featured in around 80 exhibitions worldwide. His iconic photographs provide a thought-provoking, satirical commentary on the social and consumer world around us. We’re delighted to welcome him back to Port Eliot this year, where he’ll be presenting his Parrworld show.
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Contemporary poet Luke Wright performs the world premiere of his much-anticipated new show Cynical Ballads at this year’s festival. A 4Talent Award winner in 2007, Luke burst into the limelight in 2006 with his show Poet Laureate, which combined a unique blend of comedy and poetry to promote to audiences why he should be considered as an alternative to Britain’s next laureate.
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Considered one of the finest potters of his generation, Edmund de Waal’s work has been exhibited widely and is held in many international collections. A leading authority on ceramics, he has written several books including 20th Century Ceramics (World of Art) (2003) and Signs and Wonders: Edmund De Waal and the V&A; Ceramics Galleries (2010) which he co-wrote. His latest, The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance is published this summer.
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Gavin Pretor-Pinney is a designer and writer. He founded the Cloud Appreciation Society; is author of the bestseller The Cloudspotter’s Guide; co-founder of The Idler magazine; and author of the Wavewatchers Companion (out later this year). If you've ever wondered why your heart beats, snakes slither, suspension bridges collapse, butterfly wings shimmer, saucers fly and traffic jams, then gather round and listen to Gavin talking about waves at Port Eliot this year.
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Joanna Walsh, aka ‘Baudade’ (“a person given to idle observation of everything with wonder or astonishment; a credulous or gossipy idler”) is an award-winning illustrator whose work has appeared in the Guardian, the Times, the Telegraph, the Independent, the Economist, Die Woche, the New York Times, World of Interiors and the Wall Street Journal. Artist-in-residence at this year’s festival, she’ll be capturing the magic of Port Eliot on paper as it unfolds…
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Tim Knox is director of Sir John Soane's Musuem and author of the first major illustrated history of and guide to the museum: Sir John Soane's Museum, London (2009). He’ll be presenting Flights of Fancy: Stuffed Birds as Interior Decoration in the English Country House.
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