Rough Trade Books Presents… is a new series of events exploring contemporary topics in an atmosphere of idea exchange, conversation, and connection. Brought to you by Exeter UNESCO City of Literature, Devon & Exeter Institution, and Rough Trade Books.
For the fourth event in this series, Rough Trade Books author and multidisciplinary artist The Fandangoe Kid will be in conversation with local author and former BBC journalist Sophie Pierce, discussing grief and creativity, the meaning of legacy, cultivating pleasure in the everyday, toxic positivity, and much more!
If a BSL interpreter would make this event accessible to you, please contact us and we will provide one.
Cost: Pay What You Can Afford*
Bookbag bookshop will be selling books at DEI before and after the event.
Image credit: Tara Darby
The Fandangoe Kid
The Fandangoe Kid is a multidisciplinary artist, who makes work predominantly for the public realm. Her practice seeks to create platforms for dialogue on the complexities of life, death and the human condition.
The artist has recently developed The Hope Exchange as part of London Design Festival's 20th anniversary, a permanent space for Londoners to escape their hectic lives. She runs a regular radio show called The Grief Mixtape on Soho Radio and her book Tender Hearted Bold Moves is available to buy, published by Rough Trade Books. She has several permanent installations in London and her work has been documented by Channel 4, BBC, and Creative Review.
Her made to wear pieces have appeared at the BAFTAs and inside Vogue Italia and her debut film Into Your Light was screened at Tate Modern and on Manhattan Bridge.
Image credit: Kate Mount
Sophie Pierce
Sophie is a writer and former BBC journalist based on Dartmoor, whose memoir The Green Hill, tells the story of the sudden and unexpected death of her son Felix. She is also the co-author, with Matt Newbury, of four wild swimming guides, the latest of which is Wild Swimming Torbay (2023)
Accessibility Statement: The Institution is committed to improving its accessibility, and we welcome all visitors to our public events. However, we are transparent about the access limitations that the size, location, and historic nature of the building can occasion, and readily acknowledge that we are in a period of transition.
The main entrance to the DEI, (facing the Cathedral), has double doors, and is accessible for most wheelchairs. From this entrance there is level access to the foyer, and to the inner and outer libraries. We apologise for the current lack of lift access to the South Range rooms on the second floor.
As we are a small building, parking is limited, but a space can be pre-booked by contacting the office by phone: 01392 274727, or by email: office@devonandexeterinstitution.org. Priority will be given to blue badge holders. The side door into the inner library should be accessible for most wheelchair users reaching the DEI from the driveway, or the front entrance can be reached through the side door at the end of the driveway. Please do contact us if you have any further questions about your route into the DEI.
There are toilets on site, though the nearest fully accessible Changing Places toilet can be found in the Princesshay Shopping Centre, at the back of Nationwide.
The library is usually a quiet space, though can be louder during events. A timetable for events can be found on the website. If you require a quieter space, please ask a member of staff.
If sounded, the fire alarm makes a repeated sound of two tones, and flashing lights will go off in the reading room and the toilets. On an ordinary day, ringing phones and door buzzers might also be heard.
Lighting is soft throughout the building, and may be low in certain areas. Assistance dogs are welcome, and staff will be happy to provide water for your dog.