Art Starter: Alan Lackey

What inspires you artistically? I recently read a Charles Bukowski novel. I didn't think he was too inspiring. I like colourful things like the movie Yellow Submarine and paintings by Monet and Kandinsky.

Do you have a favourite poet? I think novelists like Ernest Hemingway and Joseph Conrad write poetry with the language in their novels but perhaps the best poets are musicians like Gang Starr, Jeru The Damaja and Nick Drake. I haven't fallen in love with any of the classic poets, but perhaps that will come.

What literary character turns you on? I had a crush on the girl from His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman when I read the books. I don't think I have ever become all hot and steamy while reading, however.

What was the most recent dream you've had? I was trying to take down the insect screen of a window in a sky scraper and it involved life-risking precarious manoeuvres which were very stressful but I was determined to get the job done.

What excites you about the Crown St Crawl? I love performing my poetry and hopefully I will raise some coin for The Girls & Boys Brigade charity, which is a resource promoting equitable education for children amongst its other missions.