A Journey Through Words and Images | Poetry and Photography
Yuyutsu Sharma World-Renowned Himalayan Poet & Julie Williams-Krishnan American Photographer
Join us at the museum for an immersive afternoon with internationally celebrated Himalayan poet Yuyutsu Sharma and American photographer Julie Williams-Krishnan as they explore the unique interplay between poetry and photography. Recently returned from the Himalayan Literature Festival, curated by Yuyutsu and where Julie taught photography as a member of the faculty, these two artists will offer insights into how their respective crafts interact and inform each other —transforming moments into profound artistic expressions.
The session will include readings, visual presentations, and an engaging discussion on the synergy that exists between poetry and photography. Yuyutsu Sharma will share select pieces from In God’s Messy Workplace, his upcoming collection inspired by the profound changes and reflections brought about by the pandemic. His verses capture the sacred and mundane, revealing an intimate glimpse into a world of both personal and collective resilience.
In complement, Julie Williams-Krishnan, Boston-based photographer and educator, will present a curated selection of recent work from her travels in Kathmandu and other trips to Asia. Through her lens, she captures the essence of place and culture, and in this presentation, she will discuss how her images create visual echoes of the themes Yuyutsu explores in his poetry. Together, they will illustrate how photography can evoke the layers of emotion, memory, and atmosphere that poetry often conveys through words.
This session will culminate in a conversation between Yuyutsu and Julie on the power of collaboration across artistic mediums. They will delve into the ways in which poetry and photography enrich one another, creating a powerful fusion of text and image that transcends boundaries and reveals new depths of creative expression.
Whether you are a lover of literature, a photography enthusiast, or simply curious about the intersection of these art forms, this event promises a unique glimpse into the confluence of word and image, offering fresh perspectives and inspiration.
About the artists –
Yuyutsu Ram Dass Sharma is one of the few poets in the world who make their living with poetry. Named as “The world-renowned Himalayan poet,” (The Guardian) “One-Man Academy” (The Kathmandu Post) and “Himalayan Neruda” (Michael Graves, Brand Called You), Yuyutsu is a vibrant force on the world poetry stage.
Yuyutsu is the author of eleven poetry collections including Lost Horoscope & New Poems, the Second Buddha Walk, A Blizzard in my Bones: New York Poems, Quaking Cantos: Nepal Earthquake Poems, Nepal Trilogy, Space Cake, Amsterdam and Annapurna Poems.
Yuyutsu has read his works at many prestigious places around the globe. He is a deeply respected member of the poetry community, and as a tribute to him, a book was published in his honor: Eternal Snow: A Worldwide Anthology of One Hundred Twenty-Five Poetic Intersections with Himalayan Poet Yuyutsu RD Sharma. He is the recipient of fellowships and grants from The Rockefeller Foundation, Ireland Literature Exchange, Trubar Foundation, Slovenia, The Institute for the Translation of Hebrew Literature and The Foundation for the Production and Translation of Dutch Literature.
In 2020, Yuyutsu’s work was showcased at Royal Kew Gardens in an Exhibit, “Travel the World at Kew.” He also represented Nepal and India at the Poetry Parnassus Festival organized to celebrate London Olympics 2012. He has held workshops in creative writing and translation in the USA, Ireland, Canada, Germany, India and Nepal, among other places. In 2024, Yuyutsu curated Himalayan Literature Festival 2024 in collaboration with New York Writers Workshop in Kathmandu. Currently, he also edits Pratik: A Quarterly Magazine of Contemporary Writing.
Half the year, he travels and reads and conducts creative writing workshops all over the world. The other half of the year, he spends in Nepal and India. He goes trekking in his beloved Himalayas whenever he has the chance. You can learn more about Yuyutsu at: www.yuyutsusharma.com
Julie Williams-Krishnan is a fine art and freelance photographer and educator. Julie currently teaches photography at an independent school in Boston, and recently served as a faculty member at the Himalayan Literature Festival in Kathmandu. She served as the Director of Programs at the Griffin Museum of Photography for five years.
Julie’s personal photographic practice investigates identity and personal narrative. She has exhibited her photographs at Melrose Tiny Gallery, The Sanctuary, Cambridge Art Association, the Griffin Museum of Photography, the Khaki Gallery, and Zullo Gallery in the Boston region, The Center for Fine Art Photography in Colorado, A. Smithson Gallery in Texas, as well as other venues in Boston, London, and Oxford. She has also been included in online exhibitions with “Don’t Take Pictures” and “Lenscratch.”
Julie earned her MA in Photographic Studies from the University of Westminster in London, UK. Based in Boston Massachusetts (USA) since 2010, Julie lived in London (UK) for more than 16 years and has traveled to more than 75 countries. She lives in a multi-cultural family and travels regularly to India. You can learn more about Julie at: www.jwkphotography.comand http://www.instagram.com/juliewilliamskrishnan.