Letty McHugh presents ‘Book of Hours’ book launch, Leeds & Online

Description

Letty McHugh launches her ‘Book of Hours’ with Disability Arts Online in partnership with Leeds Playhouse. Join us to celebrate the publication of Letty’s book with readings, a talk from the author and a Q&A hosted by DAO editor Colin Hambrook.

Films from the project will be available to view between 3pm and 9pm on the day at Leeds Playhouse, and online for a limited time. Online broadcast details will be made available soon.

“I redefine praying as this, anything that opens my mind up to my heart. Anything that opens my heart up to the hectic beauty of the endless universe”

Right at the start of the first lockdown a complication of chronic illness led to Letty spending three weeks alone in a darkened room. One afternoon when her pain was at its worst she took solace in a half-remembered idea of a Book of Hours, lavishly illustrated medieval books which instructed users how to pray throughout the day, every day of the year.

Letty emerged from her period of illness with a quest to create a modern, secular equivalent to those books and find new ways of using art to bring the connection to people in times of isolation. The ‘Book of Hours’ is a witty and nuanced take on life as a disabled person, filled with candour, observation and insight into the value of the things that make us truly human.

After two years of research that took her from early Christian hermits to Chaka Khan, ‘Book of Hours’ is a multi-disciplinary project that includes a book, an installation and films.

As a Disability Arts Online Associate Artist and Writer, Letty McHugh has had regular support over the last two years to talk through artistic ideas and to publish editorial and podcasts which explore aspects of her artistic development.

As Letty is at High Risk from COVID-19 mask-wearing is requested at this event.

To attend in-person at Leeds Playhouse please book your ticket in advance via their Playhouse website.

Tickets are free but limited.

As part of the access provision for this event, audience members are welcome to join an online broadcast of this event via Disability Arts Online’s YouTube channel and below:

You can register for the online event via eventbrite, you will then be sent the link and a reminder on the day of the event. 

You can read an excerpt from the Book of Hours and view a series of audio ‘watches’ via a page on our Showcase page.

To purchase your copy of Letty McHugh’s ‘Book of Hours’ in print or as a downloadable PDF please go to the artists’ online bookshop.

Access:
BSL interpretation