TESTIMONIALS

“We held a week-long awareness festival on diversity at Penguin and invited some members from the Emerging Artists in Residence to perform on the last day of the week; Yemisi Blake was instrumental in making sure the event went smoothly – and as a performer and poet, his poetry was at turns, moving, entertaining and humorous. I first met Yemisi Blake at a poetry event he organised through his promotions company, T-Shirt and Jeans about five years ago and I’m pleased to have finally been able to work with him”
Dele Fatunla,
Diversity Communications Officer, Pearson PLC



The go-to man for when you need the job done the right way. Has an incredible ability to speak to the youth and the suits. Polite and punctual, creative and innovative. A pleasure to work with.
DJ & Spoken Word Artist

 

I asked Yemisi to be creative mentor to a group of young curators at the London Literature Festival 2008, and learnt a lot from our collaboration. Yemisi as mentor: complete belief in what young people can achieve. As collaborator: committed, supportive, creative. As performer and host: versatile. As lead artist: focussed and generous. I really enjoyed working with him.

Lucy Macnab,

Participation Producer, The Southbank Centre


Throughout the 12 years i have been programmer for Express Excess, ('The country's brightest names in performance poetry and spoken word') Yemisi has been one of the most, 'strength in depth' young performer/writers to emerge in that time. Able to mix good writing with a personable voice.

Director, Express Excess


Working with Yemisi on the Fresh off the page placement was truly fun and exciting. Yemisi always made sure we kept on track and didn't ever enforce his veiws but instead helped us to expand our thoughts and ideas in the right direction. We did various exercises before we started a session which helped us to keep focused on our daily aims. Yem is creative, funny and very spontaneous, and that is why I loved working with him on the Fresh off the page placement.

Young Curator, London Literature Festival 2008, The Southbank Centre


Yem was the person who would put us back on focus and get us back on point. He would break the tension, (especially if everyone's had a bad day) with his cheeky jokes or we would just beatbox while he does a poor attempt at a Scottish accent. "Erdu!" loool. Because he's young he could relate to us but at the same time be playful and stern. But apart from that he's a wicked poet that often has a way of gettin us to think outside the box. :D
Young Curator, London Literature Festival 2008, The Southbank Centre


And so, I delved into the unknown. A young man, who's name stemmed from prophecies made long ago guided me through the blurry maze entitled "The Southbank Centre." As time progressed I realised that he fitted a quote I once heard -Nada es más útil para la creatividad que el furor de la inspiración- Nothing is more useful for the creativity than the fury of inspiration. So I settled and marveled at was created- a brilliant team with a smiling wickedly cool mentor- Yemisi Blake, poet, artist, friend and thoroughly fun guy.

Young Curator, London Literature Festival 2008, The Southbank Centre


 

Yemisi is a hugely creative person - great fun, easy to work with, and thoroughly professional! We have worked together, and alongside other artists, for Islington-based charity All Change on several participatory art projects in London since July 2007. Collaborating with other artists to make work is an invaluable part of my practice, and I hope to work with Yemisi again, including some self-initiated projects.

 

Esther Yarnold,

Artist & Curator, www.interim.org.uk


Yemisi is an absolute joy to work with. Fizzing with ideas, he always manages to exceed my expectations and stretch my original conceptions of what a project/workshop could be. He has the ability to connect with people regardless of their age, class, or any other label you care to throw at him, and take them on a journey which is surprising, creative, risky and rewarding. At the same time he is absolutely reliable, organised and professional.

Sarah Butler,

Director of UrbanWords


 


Yemisi Blake's precocious career as a writer, poet, development coach and workshop leader is itself living proof of the success of his approach. His self reliance and demystification of creativity draws these qualities out of those around him. He has a deep understanding of the artistic process, of the changing ways we connect with our peers and audiences, and most of all he understands people. An inspirational, no-nonsense talent.

Riz MC

Actor, Hip-Hop Artist


 

When I got the opportunity to be part of curating an event at the Southbank centre it seemed like it was too good to be true. The where too project was amazing, but the highlight for me was meeting Yemisi. As a project leader he was constantly inspiring, exciting and completely different to anyone I'd worked with before, as a facilitator he had some of the best exercises and ice-breakers to get even the reluctant of young people involved, most of which I have

shamelessly stolen :)

Rosie Knight
Writer, Southbank Centre Young Curator