Craig Wightman: Portrait of a writer as street performer

By
Miriam Kramer
– 21 June 2010Posted in: Cultural Legacy, Dublin, ECEJ 2010, Ireland, Literature

Always polite, Wightman ends all his poems with a thank you.

Almost everyday Craig Wightman hits the streets to do his art. Right before entering the shopping district in Dublin, tens of people gather around Wightman’s lyric poetry written on the sidewalk in colorful chalk. Although the area where he works is overtly creative, with many different bands and artists performing, Wightman fills a niche that is necessary in a city like Dublin. In a city known for its creative writing prowess, it only makes sense that a street performer would profit off of this well known idea. In one day, Wightman has made as much as 260 Euro, showing that even in the modern era a little bit of creative street performance can go a long way. Usually Wightman’s poems deal with the nature of homelessness or other empathetic topics adding a little bit of humanity to the consumer-laden shopping area around him.

Taken over 2 days in Dublin, Ireland I shot photos of Craig Wightman, a street lyric poet who does his work in chalk.
Taken over 2 days in Dublin, Ireland I shot photos of Craig Wightman, a street lyric poet who does his work in chalk.
Wightman, a traveling Irish poet, gathers crowds everyday as he writes his lyric poets in chalk on a busy sidewalk in Dublin.
Wightman, a traveling Irish poet, gathers crowds everyday as he writes his lyric poets in chalk on a busy sidewalk in Dublin.
A man drops a coin in support of Wightman's work. This particular poem was in support of the homeless in Dublin, asking people to give their spare change to those that need it.
A man drops a coin in support of Wightman’s work. This particular poem was in support of the homeless in Dublin, asking people to give their spare change to those that need it.

Wightman has written poems on many topics, but he tends to avoid politics because many people don't respond well to those writings.
Wightman has written poems on many topics, but he tends to avoid politics because many people don’t respond well to those writings.
On Saturdays, Wightman tends to get the biggest crowd gathered around his work. Tourists and Dubliners walk by on their way to the shopping district or Trinity College making Wightman's spot on the sidewalk ideal for maximum exposure.
On Saturdays, Wightman tends to get the biggest crowd gathered around his work. Tourists and Dubliners walk by on their way to the shopping district or Trinity College making Wightman’s spot on the sidewalk ideal for maximum exposure.
Wightman uses old coffee cup tops to draw circles and other designes for his poems.
Wightman uses old coffee cup tops to draw circles and other designes for his poems.

The area where Wightman works is one of the most creative in Dublin. Groups, like this band playing outside of the shops can be seen playing their own songs all along the road.
The area where Wightman works is one of the most creative in Dublin. Groups, like this band playing outside of the shops can be seen playing their own songs all along the road.
Always polite, Wightman ends all his poems with a thank you.
Always polite, Wightman ends all his poems with a thank you.
The finished product, a lyric poem about the hardships of homelessness.
The finished product, a lyric poem about the hardships of homelessness.


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About Miriam Kramer

When MIriam isn't traipsing around Europe, she's a student at the University of Tennessee in the USA learning about how to be a science writer. She has been writing about science from the time she got to college and hopes to continue well into the future. Back home in Knoxville, Miriam writes for TNJN.com, a news website run through her college. Her interests include all things science and travel.