The Writers of Wales Database

REES, PAUL

Email: paul.rees@artistepaintre.co.uk or artistepaintre@mac.com
Website: www.paulreespoet.com

Born in South Wales in the village of Gilfach Goch. He was inspired from an early age by the publication of Richard Llewellyn’s novel How Green Was My Valley. Paul emigrated from Wales to England with his parents at the age of 11 years, spent his formative years living in a miner’s terraced cottage. His recollections of his childhood experiences are portrayed through his poetry and prose and features in his published work. He is also an accomplished artist and has exhibited his art at Neath and Port Talbot Museum and Gallery, Lichfield Cathedral (Chapters Restaurant) et al. Paul has produced commissioned work for OXFAM and also a short commissioned book of poetry specifically published for Lichfield Cathedral. You can read one of his poems, ’From Red to Grey’ here.

He graduated at the University of Coventry where he studied Social Psychology and Social Work. He has specialised in Mental Health, Child Protection, Family Therapy and Criminal Psychology. Paul retired from the National Probation Service three years ago where as a Case Manager he completed a plethora of professional reports and his interest in social history can be experienced through his creative writing.

In 2007, Paul self-published a book entitled I Was Always Free (see synopsis and book jacket below). Eland Roars Publishing picked up the title and published a re-edited version. The book contains empirical data and many references by published academics and authors, original  creative writing, poetry and original art. To read a poem from it which relates to the past suffering of  an enslaved people, please click here. Since producing the original version, Paul has engaged in many talks and observational visits to numerous cultural organisations based in the West Midlands. As his current history shows, he has already talked and delivered his poetry on BBC Radio and on Wolverhampton City (BBC African Caribbean Radio). Paul was also prominently featured in the Welsh Media Pontypridd and Llantrisant newspapers, who profiled his roots from Gilfach Goch and his successful creative art exhibition at Birmingham City’s Repertory Theatre in October 2008. Paul received thanks from Dr John Sentamu Archbishop of York for my research and previous work in Urban Cultural Communities. He is currently working on a novel about a South Wales Pit.

Paul has recently written a piece of prose (click here) and poetry (click here) which explore his concerns about the 'War on Terror'.

Reviews:

“…Paul is a natural communicator and reads his poetry with passion and sensitivity exhibiting knowledge of his subject…”
Professor Carl Chinn, PhD OBE Birmingham University and BBC Presenter Radio WM.


Selected Publications:
A Small Red Valley (artiste paintre, 2003/4)
Shadows of A Miner (artiste paintre, 2004/5)
Black Country Black Gold (artiste paintre, 2006)
The Twitcher’s Guide to the Galaxy (artiste paintre, 2006)
I Was Always Free (artiste paintre, 2007)



I Was Always Free (artiste paintre, 2007)

This title combines poetry, historical interpretation and artwork to creatively explore 18th and 19th century Colonial African Slavery. Olaudah Equino is one of the main characters referred to in the book and a subjective and empathic poetic tale unfolds as the writer expresses his and other characters anger, frustration and confusion about their enforced slavery and separation from family, community and country of origin. An emotive subject, the writer draws upon his childhood as a Miner’s son from the valleys of South Wales to provide an insight into social hardship and inequality.

Click here to read a poem introduced toward the end of the book and which refers to Nelson Mandela’s vision about incarceration and freedom.

Independently published under artiste paintre publishing, Paul’s titles, including this book, are generally available through Neath and Port Talbot Library and Heritage Museum, The Black Country Living Museum, The Rhondda National Coalmining Heritage Museum, West Midland Libraries et al. For more detail, please email Paul at the address listed above.