Poetry
James Massiah x George Rouy
George Rouy, The Split, 2026. Acrylic and charcoal on canvas, 220 x 340.2 x 5 cm. Photo: Damian Griffiths. Courtesy the artist, Hannah Barry Gallery and Hauser & Wirth
As part of our ongoing series of commissioned poetry, Ursula presents two new works by London-based poet and musician James Massiah, each written in response to a painting by George Rouy.
Blessing
In response to The Split
Are you inviting me to an orgy?
Or are you simply trying to tell me
That you plan to start seeing a friend of mine?
Seeing as it is a Friday afternoon
There is ahead of us a whole weekend
And two-thirds left of a life
Seeing as we are in our 30s
I don’t believe there is much time left for half-living
Do you seek my blessing?
It was given to you by your mother the day you were born
"You must live and you must love
As freely as The Devil lets you"
George Rouy, Protest, 2026. Oil and charcoal on canvas, 240.3 x 270.3 x 4.1 cm. Photo: Damian Griffiths. Courtesy the artist, Hannah Barry Gallery and Hauser & Wirth
Again
In response to The Protest
Not me
It’s you
This just
Won’t do
I can’t do what
You need me to
So let me go
And let me be
Stop calling me
And chasing me
Attracted me
Now scaring me
Now I can’t be
So this can’t be
Free is what
I’s born to be
Night sometimes
Is morn to me
It’s best that you start mourning me
And getting used to watching porn
Or finding someone else to see
I need back my anatomy
Was scattered
And fragmented
We’re connected but
Tangentially
Our values
Aren’t the same
Philosophically
Politically
Emotionally
And socially
I’ve some plans
To sew more seeds
And live and grow
And stem the flow
Of winds or waters
Rushing in
And running me asunder
Did you ever love all of me
I sit here
High
And wonder
My plunder stole
My booty gone
My member limp
And all is wrong
It’s been too long
I’ve lost my heart
I seek for me again
(Again)
Again
(Again)
Again
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“George Rouy: REPRISE” opens at Hauser & Wirth New York 22nd Street on September 10 and remains on view through October 17.
“George Rouy: REPRISE” remains on view at Hannah Barry Gallery, London, through September 12.
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George Rouy is a British artist whose dynamic and signature use of the human figure, vexed with desire, alienation and crisis, speaks to the extremities of our time. He creates portraits of identity in a globalized and technologically driven 21st century.
James Massiah is a poet and musician from South London whose work explores ideas about sexuality, morality and hedonism through performance, writing and visual media. He has been commissioned to produce work for the BBC and The Guardian and has performed at numerous museums including Tate Modern.