Auckland University Press's first collection of poetry by Sam Sampson will be launched in Auckland on June 13 at the Gus Fisher Gallery.

Organised in sections ('An Arena of Reflected Caches', 'Mirror Mirror', 'Orpheus at Whatipu', 'Frisson', 'The Dirty Monk', 'The Deep End') Everything Talks has a resonant overall cohesiveness - informed by a particularly New Zealand nostalgia and sense of loss.

Sampson has an ear for the lilting phrase, and his poems - 'attuned to the day's inflections' - have a gentle ebb and flow, which is often echoed visually by the poems' layout. Auckland University Press's first collection of poetry by Sam Sampson will be launched in Auckland on June 13 at the Gus Fisher Gallery.

Organised in sections ('An Arena of Reflected Caches', 'Mirror Mirror', 'Orpheus at Whatipu', 'Frisson', 'The Dirty Monk', 'The Deep End') Everything Talks has a resonant overall cohesiveness - informed by a particularly New Zealand nostalgia and sense of loss.

Sampson has an ear for the lilting phrase, and his poems - 'attuned to the day's inflections' - have a gentle ebb and flow, which is often echoed visually by the poems' layout.This tidal lyricism is never fragile, or overly lavish and often a stanza is undercut -'sounds are askew' - by a laconic expression, or surprisingly forthright final image. Experimental in form, this is poetry that rewards an immersed and slow read.

Many of the poems are situated on Auckland's West Coast - Karekare, the Manukau Harbour and the Waitakere Ranges all feature - but others reach from ancient Egypt, to fifteenth-century France, to nineteenth-century Tahiti, to the United States in 1963.

Everything Talks features a cover by artist Peter Madden and poetry from their 2006 collaboration The Deep End. Coinciding with the book launch is the exhibition Zeroed, where Madden and Sampson have produced new collaborative works, continuing their shared exploration of image and text.

Sam Sampson
Everything Talks booklaunch
Friday June 13, 5.30pm
The Gus Fisher Gallery,
74 Shortland Street, Auckland City

Zeroed: Peter Madden and Sam Sampson
June 13 - July 5, 2008
Opening: Friday June 13, 5.30pm
Artists talk: Saturday June 14, 1pm
The Gus Fisher Gallery,
74 Shortland Street, Auckland City

Poetry reading
Wednesday June 25, 7 - 9pm,
Cafe One 2 One (formerly Atomic Cafe, 121 Ponsonby Rd, Auckland). Sam Sampson will read with poets C.K. Stead, and Chris Price; music by Nigel Gavin and guests - $5 on the door.

11/06/08