Re:Box, the Island’s smallest art gallery on Lind Street in Ryde, has partnered with Brevity, The Isle of Wight’s Literary Handbill, to showcase the work of 16 local writers.
The 50-word stories reveal everything from a woman pregnant with a vegetable to a topical tale of a devout keyboard warrior.
Bowler: Easy to read as you walk by the phone box
Anmarie Bowler, Brevity editor and Re:Box co-founder, explained the thinking behind the collaboration. She said,
“This collection of 50-word fictions focuses on precise, sometimes quirky moments in time and is easy to read as you walk by the phone box.
“They may even inspire you to write your own 50-word story.”
From Visual Art to Literature
Brevity, a six-times yearly literary publication, has showcased quality, compelling short stories of 500 words or less from Island writers since 2019.
Boojum&Snark in Sandown prints the publication, which locals can pick up free of charge at libraries and arts organisations across the Island.
Barker: Super short stories are a natural fit
Zoe Barker, Re:Box co-founder, explained why the gallery decided to feature written work for the first time. She said,
“Up to now we’ve always featured visual art in Re:Box, but we knew one day we’d try out text, and super short stories are a natural fit.
“It’s an interesting art form. Crafting narratives with no more than 50 words is a challenge but in this case the resulting street reads are comical, emotional and thought-provoking.”
From Phone Box to Art Space
Ryde Town Council purchased the classic Kiosk No.6 red phone box for £1 through BT’s ‘Adopt a Kiosk’ initiative.
The council turned the decommissioned phone box over to Bowler and Barker, two local artists determined to give the piece of street furniture a new lease of life.
When night falls, Re:Box transforms into a lightbox that creates the impression of glowing stained glass.
Ryde Town Council provides partial funding for the project.
Isle of Wight residents interested in submitting a short story of up to 500 words to Brevity can visit the publication’s website.
Artists who want to exhibit at Re:Box can contact the gallery at [email protected] or search Facebook for ReBoxRyde.
