David E Oprava, Private View,
Poetry Reading, and Book Signing

Held at Bute Space Gallery and Studios,
123 Bute Street Cardiff CF10 5AE

Thursday 23rd. October, David E Oprava, an expatriate American who moved to Wales some ten years ago, gave a really entertaining reading of work from his new poetry book ‘VS’ published by erbacce-press. (Obtainable from Borders ISBN 978-1-906588-34-2).

The event was really successful and enjoyable, and was well attended by a young and appreciative audience who clearly related to the unusual form and topics of his poetry.

Held at Bute Space Gallery and Studios, Cardiff the performance is part of an ongoing reading tour which will include Cornelia Street Café, New York NY on Nov. 13th; the Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea on Nov. 20th; Borders, the Hayes, Cardiff on Nov. 28th; Sparks, Brighton on Jan. 6th ; and the Globe Bookstore, Prague on Feb 2nd.

David has been identified by one of  Wales’s  foremost poets Nigel Jenkins as a ‘prolific and resourceful poet’ and ‘ a confident critical American voice which beguiles with its lightning wit  and humour.’

In his own words, David describes himself as a restless person running in infinity loops, and tells us that he is compelled to write – it is something that he just has to do. He works to place words together in such a way that has never been done before.

He is involved with the visceral part of existence and he uses the magic of his words to ‘conjure up a ghost, god, or geist that is tangible inside’

He strives to place within the sound and movement of a set of words, feelings, tones, vision and meanings that his audience can empathise with and engage with as part of themselves.

In his work he often  uses a little known Japanese form called the Haibun.  In a burst of humour, he suggests his approach could be called ‘haibunating’.

Additionally, he is an accomplished painter and many of his works are available to view at the Bute Gallery. This exhibition will continue to the end of October.

His bright and dynamic paintings, he says, are a resource and a skill he found naturally within himself.

His artwork comes as a relief to him – though all his works have a back story which relates to his poetic works.

During the readings from his new book, interspersed with many  humorous asides, David constantly referred to his paintings on display all around. He told stories of his inspirations to create them, involving icons such as Jack Kerouac, and Alan Ginsberg; who he met whilst living in Prague. 

David will be signing copies of his new book at Borders, The Hayes, Cardiff on Friday 28th. November.