Artist Brigid Collins and Ed Small discuss the concept behind the book ‘For A’That’, illustrated by Collins and edited by Kirsty Gunn alongside Anna Day, Cultural Project Manager for the University of Dundee. They will discuss the myriad of responses by invited contemporary writers to the work of Burns and how Collins visually responded, forming a unique contribution to our understanding of Burns, as a man and writer.

Brigid Collins Biography: Brigid Collins is an artist, illustrator and educator. She runs creative workshops for all ages and is also a lecturer at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. Dundee. Collins forges relationships between images and poetry, creating paintings and assemblages in 2 and 3D, often in collaboration with writers, poets and other artists. Publications have included ‘Room to Rhyme’, 2004, an illustrated edition of the text of a speech given by the poet Seamus Heaney, ‘a place where thought happens…’, 2006, an Artist’s Book with poet, Larry Butler and jewellery designer Teena Ramsay and ‘For A’ That’, 2009, an anthology of contemporary writing made in response to Robert Burns, with contributions from Janice Galloway, Kirsty Gunn, Bill Manhire, DBC Pierre and others.

Burns Unbroke is a new contemporary multi-arts festival celebrating new interpretations of the life and work of Robert Burns at Summerhall between the 25 January – 10 March 2018. Throughout the festival there will be a series of artist talks giving insight into their practice and relationship to the life and work of Burns. Burns Unbroke is a partnership between Artruist – Independent Art Consultancy and Summerhall, it is supported by Creative Scotland, Burns Night – Scotland’s Winter Festivals and Arran Whisky.