The Fremantle Biennale were thrilled to host acclaimed surrealist blues poet and community organiser aja monet, who premiered her debut album when the poems do what they do in a one-night only event for the 2023 Fremantle Biennale.
New York born and raised, aja’s debut album offers a glimpse into her indefatigable commitment to speak. These aren’t poems for poets, but poems for everyone.
aja’s premiere in Australia saw her joined by some of WA’s best musicians, with her unique storytelling, centring Black resistance, love and the inexhaustible quest for joy, expanded with music. Songs reminiscent of jazz club virtuosity and melee, came together in the iconic Fremantle Passenger Terminal venue, with chords of healing and prayer, in a not to be missed experience with one of the world’s most profound voices.
aja monet with the Surrealists (Jess Carlton, Djuna Lee, Talya Valenti, Michelle Smith and Harry Mitchell), with supporting performances from poet Jazz Money and The Colour Beige.
aja monet also featured in a one-night-only event at Lawson Flats, in conversation with writer, activist and political commentator Sisonke Msimang.