Books / Margaret Heffernan
Margaret Heffernan to discuss her new book ‘Embracing Uncertainty’ at Arnolfini
Now a professor of practice at the University of Bath and a mentor to multiple senior executives of global organisations, the CEO, speaker, broadcaster, producer and entrepreneur Margaret Heffernan is also the author of six books, including Wilful Blindness, A Bigger Prize and Uncharted.
Her TED talks have been seen by over 15 million people, and her philosophy has seen her inducted into the Thinkers50 Hall of Fame.
Heffernan’s new book Embracing Uncertainty – which has met with widespread praise – explores the importance of both art and artists in dealing with the uncertainty that characterises our time. In a special event at Arnolfini on April 17, she will be joined in conversation by former director of Bristol Ideas, Andrew Kelly, to discuss the ideas that inspired it.
is needed now More than ever
The book charts the ways in which figures from painting, literature, theatre, architecture, music, and even economics can harness the very facets of life that might bring stress and anxiety to so many of us.
Photo: Policy Press
“We encounter the sheer diversity and value of artistic ways of thinking at every level,” Heffernan contends; “from author Haruki Murakami’s ethos championing the virtue of imagination as the opposite of efficiency; Gates Foundation scientist Dr Katherine Kahn encouraging her team on the West African Virus Epidemiology programme to learn from theatre director Richard Olivier’s Shakespeare productions; and the Bank of England’s former Chief Economist Andy Haldane’s fascinating approach of ‘deep hanging out’, bringing artists and activists with wildly different experiences of living to his colleagues at one of the world’s oldest financial institutions.”
Amongst the featured people in Embracing Uncertainty, Heffernan includes TV writer and producer Jed Mercurio, abstract painter Frank Bowling, jazz musician Soweto Kinch and online legislator Beeban Kidron.
Throughout the book, she argues for “the vital integration of art into all aspects of our lives, and for artists to guide us with their boldness, resilience, and discipline”.
Photo: Arnolfini Arts
Margaret Heffernan: Embracing Uncertainty is at Arnolfini on April 17 at 6.30pm. Tickets are available at www.arnolfini.org.uk.
Her book Embracing Uncertainty: How writers, musicians and artists thrive in an unpredictable world is available now, published by Policy Press.
Main photo: Margaret Heffernan
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