Ekphrasis Poetry: A Multigenre Journey You Can See
As someone who is on a multigenre journey, I have become absolutely fascinated with ekphrastic poetry. There is something special about combining poetry and visual arts together: combining poetry with visual arts allows me to engage with artwork through my own poetic lens.
Imagine looking at an image, a video still, or even a play putty assembled by a tiny relative of yours and engaging with it—poetically. There are infinite ways to do this, but what’s important is that you get to make cognitive connections to the piece and engage with the art in new ways. It’s kind of like a very heady writing prompt.
Let me explain.
Ekphrasis Defined
Ekphrastic poetry explores the intersection between visual art and written expression. The term "ekphrasis" is derived from the Greek words "ek," meaning "out," and "phrasis," meaning "speak" or "declare." According to Oxford Languages, ekphrasis is defined as “the use of detailed description of a work of visual art as a literary device.”
Incoming fun history here: the origins of ekphrasis can be traced back to ancient Greece, where poets like Homer and Hesiod engaged in vivid descriptions of art and mythical scenes. However, it gained prominence in the Hellenistic period and later in the Roman era, with notable examples found in the works of poets like Callimachus and Philostratus.
But What is Ekphrasis, Really?
What appeals to me most about ekphrasis is the created dialogue between the visual and the language. The poem becomes a bridge between the visual object that is being viewed, and the written word that is engaging with that viewing. In their poems, poets can describe, interpret, or respond to what’s in front of them or on their screen—no shame in the virtual art game here!
Ekphrastic poetry can take various forms, including praise, critique, or imaginative reinterpretation of the artwork. The poet can also explore emotions, themes, or symbolism conveyed by the visual piece.
My favorite method of writing an ekphrastic poem is adopting a narrative style. It’s kind of like fan fiction, but instead of rewriting the Twilight series plots, poets can reimagine any piece of artwork and what its intention was in the first place.
There’s this multi-cognitive journey happening, right?
1. You’re looking at the artwork and the world it has constructed simply by existing.
2. Your brain is creating associations by engaging with it based on your previous experiences (which can be anything: institutional knowledge, personal life events, feelings of art in general, etc.).
3. Your engagement results in a poem.
And 4. what Matthew Zapruder calls in The Machine of Poetry, “... the poetic space opened in the mind of the reader.”
It’s a very active process.
Examples of Ekphrastic Poetry
1) “Ode to a Grecian Urn” by John Keats
In this classic ode, Keats addresses a Grecian urn. An urn! The poem reflects on the tension between permanence and transience, delving into the eternal nature of art and the fleeting nature of human experience.
It’s like he’s saying, "Hey, immortal art, you're frozen but alive, and life's fleeting.” Keats lived a tragic, ambitious life, so it’s no wonder his poem took this kind of turn.
2) “The Starry Night” by Anna Sexton
Sexton’s poem is inspired by Vincent van Gogh's iconic painting of the same name. In her poem, Sexton delves into the emotional and psychological aspects of van Gogh's masterpiece, exploring the turbulence within the artist's mind and life.
It's like she's having a chat with the artist, exploring the swirls of stars and the madness beneath.
3) “This land is your land, Holtville, California” by Anthony Cody
I think this is my “modern” take on what I consider to be a somewhat ekphrastic poem.
Cody uses the lines from Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land," one of the most famous folk songs in the United States, and completely changes their meaning. He reinterprets (and calls back to) a meaning of land that doesn’t really belong to those who believed it did.
How to Write an Ekphrastic Poem
Now that we’ve looked at a few examples, let’s get started writing our own ekphrastic poetry.
1) Choose Your Artwork*
Select a piece of visual art that inspires you. It could be a famous painting, a photograph, a sculpture, or any form of visual art that resonates with you emotionally or intellectually.
* It should be said that these days, contemporary poets aren’t just going to museums and spending a day sitting in front of an art piece for hours. This is obviously an amazing experience that I recommend to everyone who is a writer, but you do have the option of: the Internet. Draw inspiration from digital creations, whether that be a graphic design image or an Instagram post.
Visit museums’ online collections like The Louvre, The Broad, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Getty, or The Art Institute of Chicago. A former teacher of mine had us use Pixabay to generate and engage with some fun, surreal images, so check it out if you’re into that.
2) Observe with Patience
Spend time closely observing the artwork. Pay attention to details, colors, shapes, and the overall atmosphere. Notice the emotions or ideas the artwork evokes and consider how it makes you feel.
3) Research the Artwork
(optional, imo, but it can totally help add a layer of complexity)
Gather information about the artist and the context of the artwork. Understanding the artist's intentions, historical background, or cultural significance can provide additional layers to your interpretation.
4) Reflect on Your Response
Consider your emotional and intellectual response to the artwork. What themes or ideas does it bring to mind? How does it make you feel? Your personal connection to the art will help shape your ekphrastic poem.
5) Put Pen to Paper
Begin your poem by describing the visual elements of the artwork. Capture the mood, colors, shapes, and any specific details that stand out to you. Use vivid and evocative language to convey the essence of the art. As you write, consider the story behind the image, the characters involved, or the broader concepts the artwork might represent.
6) Connect Personal Experience
Something that we don’t value enough as research is our own, lived experiences as human beings. Integrate your personal experiences, memories, or emotions into the poem. The goal is to create a dialogue between your own perspective and the visual art, allowing your voice to guide the poem while honoring the essence of the artwork.
And of course: edit, revise, and title your new poem!
Remember, there are no strict rules in ekphrastic poetry. The important thing is to engage with art that you’re absolutely fascinated by and respond to that artwork in your own unique poetic voice.
This article was published on March 6, 2024. Written by:
