Dzifa Benson
Writer, Journalist, Storyteller
Hello, I'm Dzifa Benson—a poet, playwright, curator, and multidisciplinary artist based in London. Born in the UK to Ghanaian parents, I spent my formative years in Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo, experiences that have profoundly shaped my artistic perspective. My work traverses literature, performance, science, technology, and ritual, aiming to tell stories that resonate across cultures and disciplines.
My debut poetry collection, Monster (Bloodaxe Books, 2024), is a deeply personal and political work that examines the myth and legacy of Sarah Baartman, also known as the Hottentot Venus. In these poems, I reimagine her story through a speculative, ritualistic lens, giving voice to the silenced and exploring the complexities of the Black female body as a site of both trauma and resistance. The collection draws on autobiography, science fiction, historical record, and cultural theory—a method I return to often in my work.
Watch my interview here.
I’ve always believed in the power of art to transcend boundaries, so I work across disciplines and media. I’ve written librettos, curated exhibitions, and performed poetry in some extraordinary places—Tate Britain, the Royal Festival Hall, and international festivals like the BBC’s Contains Strong Language. My work has been published in major anthologies such as Staying Human, More Fiya!, and New Daughters of Africa.
In addition to my creative writing, I’m also an arts journalist and critic, writing about poetry, theatre, fiction, and music for publications including The Guardian, The Financial Times, The Telegraph, and The Times Literary Supplement. I enjoy being part of the broader cultural conversation and am passionate about championing the value of storytelling in all its forms.
Over the years, I’ve developed a particular interest in performance and immersive storytelling. I’ve created site-specific, research-led works and collaborated with institutions like the National Youth Theatre and the Museum of London. I’m always looking for ways to reframe narratives—especially those from marginalised voices—by incorporating ritual, movement, and speculative elements.
I hold an MA in Text & Performance from RADA and Birkbeck and have been fortunate to receive fellowships from Jerwood Compton Poetry and Hedgebrook. Whether through verse, theatre, or multimedia installations, I remain committed to creating work that interrogates, reimagines, and resonates—across time, place, and form.
