Issue 111 / November 2022

SPOTLIGHT
“Protest anything
that tries to
undermine the
importance of
creativity”
EVE HOWLETT
The Queen Of Heartbreak opens
up about her colourful artistry,
charity shop gowns and silly sense
of humour.
What began as a means to make back the money lost from a
withdrawn university scholarship for EVE HOWLETT (the result
of a streaking session in her first year of studies) has now fully
bloomed into a career as a life model, poet, wardrobe designer
and performer.
As a member of The Secret Circus, Eve performed at an Alice
In Wonderland themed event as an anti-love poet. And so, The
Queen Of Heartbreak was born. She is charming, quick-witted
and just a little daft. “Pardon my alliteration,” she laughs, “but
my performance poetry is piled high with puns and punchlines –
period.”
Combining all of her creative endeavours, Howlett is a unique
and fabulous artist emerging in Liverpool. “I would describe
myself as an over-the-top colourful creative,” she says, “who has
fingers in far too many pies and a wig collection so big, they’re
arguing over who gets teased the most.” Her style, inspired by
her parents’ fancy dress shop and whatever “diamond bargains”
she can find at a car boot sale, is consistently quirky, bold and
joyful. Performing at events such as Eat Me + Preach and A
Lovely Word, Howlett showcases her fantastic handmade
wardrobe with heels and eyelashes that could make RuPaul gag
Howlett’s poetry is packed with hilarity and a jovial need
to enjoy life. “I usually find some small spark,” she explains, “a
fleeting funny moment, like a pigeon flying into my room or
something, and I blurt out a poem. Or, I’ll take something that
pisses me off and turn it something comedic to take the power
away from it. I’ve always looked for the joke in everything, to
make myself laugh even if no one else is.”
At a time where we could all use a few more laughs, Howlett
is coming into the spotlight with an ability to not be consumed
by the anxiety pressing down on all of us. Reflecting on these
uncertain times Howlett shares: “Years of financial anxiety
prepared me for the pandemic.” She further explains: “Being
self-employed and freelance since university, I think I’d got used
to having to be adaptable when you don’t know where the next
pay check is coming from.” Although naturally an unsettling time,
Howlett acknowledges some positives taken from lockdown.
“Having a lot of time on my hands suddenly did give me the time
and space to develop The Queen Of Heartbreak as opposed to
doing a half-arsed, last-minute version of my original vision like I
had done in the past. Being able to connect with people around
the world and perform for events I would never be able to is a
massive silver lining.”
Her artistic career so far is packed with wild and wonderful
adventures, with her experiences as a life model sparking a lot
of joy and laughter for both Howlett and her fellow artists. “I’ve
been talked into all kinds of mad stuff,” she reflects playfully,
“like walking around in nothing but wellies filled with ink and
water, pose on a trapeze, dance to YMCA and pretend to cook
cardboard carrots in a cardboard pan.” As silly and wacky
as these experiences have been, life modelling has been an
enriching time for Howlett over the years. “After spending hours
on end with nothing but yourself for company you have no choice
but to experience every thought and feeling and, literally, sit with
it,” she explains. “These are usually the times that I have time to
think about creative ideas, write poems and think about what
costume I’m going to wear next.”
Howlett has no intention of slowing down with plans of
releasing her own poetry book and a Queen Of Heartbreak
vajazzle collection. With a resolute ambition to constantly do
things her way, Howlett is sure to continue on her path as an
original, authentic artist. “The way I write my poems, the way I do
my make-up, the outfits I put together, it’s rarely by consciously
following influences,” she explains. “I’ve always been someone
who just does whatever they feel is right.” Inspired by herself,
Howlett is an ambassador for people speaking their own truth.
“I’m not sure I ever grew out of doing everything my own way,”
she says, and we hope she never does.
During a time of uncertainty where the worth of the arts has
been called into question, Howlett reminds us that we are not as
fragile as we may sometimes feel. “If you feel you have a bit to
give, share the work of other artists, buy from independents and
creatives, see if you can skill swap, see if you can collaborate,”
she says. “And protest anything that tries to undermine the
importance of creativity.” Howlett reminds us that we are not
alone, we are valued and we matter. Our worth does not lie in
the opinion of others and our validation comes only from within
ourselves. She continues to encourage us to trust what our gut is
urging us to do, and to smile while we are doing it. !
Words: Mary Olive / @maryolivepoet
Photography: Mark Lycett
@thequeenofheartbreak
Eve Howlett’s work will be displayed at 92 Degrees Coffee as
part of Liverpool Nude 2 exhibition. Now extended until 31st
October.
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