We explore a lesser-known facet of Sylvia Plath's output – her intricate pen and ink drawings
Who? Today would have been the 79th birthday of poet and novelist Sylvia Plath, wife of poet laureate Ted Hughes, who took her own life back in 1963. Whilst her creative abilities with the written word are world famous – the poetry anthology Ariel, published posthumously in 1965, has long been considered one of the great works of 20th century verse – a new exhibition at the Mayor Gallery is showing a new side to Plath, with the first ever exhibition of her drawings opening on November 2.
What? While uniformly drawn in pen and ink, the images portray an eclectic range of subjects, from detailed depictions of a rolled umbrella and dissected conkers, to village scenes of cottages and harbours, and the views from Parisian cafes. An anonymous man is seen in profile, mundane kitchenware, pots and stoves are drawn with meticulous care, and The Bell Jar depicts the pair of shoes which feature in such loving detail in the eponymous novel. Where the images are unsigned, they have been authenticated by Ted Hughes himself, a detail that adds an additional edge of poignancy to an already affecting exhibition.
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Why? Sylvia Plath remains one of the most enigmatic figures in literary history, famous for her turbulent life as much as for the work she produced. Plath scholars have spent years scouring her novel and poetry for autobiographical details that reflect her decline into mental illness, constantly focusing on the tragedy and misery that stalked her thirty-one years. Yet, in this exhibition, there is a chance to focus on a passion that brought pleasure and inspiration, and it would be hard for even the most determined critic to look into the images and find bleakness or despair. In this, her 80th year, it feels like a excellent opportunity to counter the overwrought press the author is accustomed to receive, and revel in an exhibition that shows a lighter and happier side to her character.
Sylvia Plath: Her Drawings and Dadamaino: Volumes opens at the Mayor Gallery on November 2 and runs until December 16.
