Topsham based commercial photographer and published poet, Meia Allegranza, is launching a Poetography Exhibition on 1 August 2013 in Topsham’s The Café.

The exhibition, called “Poetography for the All Generations”, will showcase Meia’s two passions, photography and poetry, as she brings together 14 of her favourite Photos and poems. 

The exhibition, which will be free to attend, will run from 1-31 August during The Café’s opening hours 10am–4.30pm.

This is Meia’s first solo exhibition, and has been inspired by her life, news events, the sights and sounds of Devon, and local traditions.  

All of Meia’s poetry is written in rhyming couplets and is specifically written to appeal to a wide audience and to be as accessible as possible.  Her influences are wide and include Robert Lewis Stevenson, Betjeman and W H Auden.

Some of Meia’s poetography pairings include: ‘Fetch’ – a photograph of a local Topsham puppy called Paddy using the stick as a metaphor for all of our passions; ‘Crown of Flowers’ - a photo and poem about the crowning of the May Queen in Lustleigh, a Devon tradition on Dartmoor; and ‘Arabian Queen’ an arresting picture of Khan - Golden Russian Eagle and a poem celebrating his majesty and power.

Meia’s poetry, and her photographs, reflects what goes on around whether it is love, comedy, happiness as well the darker and sadder side of life. She is moved to capture whatever she is passionate about, and a couple of her pairings in this exhibition demonstrate this, especially ‘Gluttony’ and ‘The One Deadly Sin’.  

“This is a thrilling first exhibition for me,” comments Meia Allegranza.  “I am a professional photographer, however this is the first time I have been able to bring together my passion for photography and poetry together in such a way.

"I have selected 14 of my favourite pairings, ones which I think will show visitors how I like to express myself, and also enable them to enjoy photography and poetry in a way which maybe they have not done before.

“I would also like to thank Paul at The Café for agreeing to show my work."

The Café can be found at 76 Fore Street, Topsham.