Ekphrastic! About the Exhibit:

Ekphrastic! Art and Poetry Collaboration

Reception: Sept. 18th from 6-8PM

Exhibit Runs from: Sept. 18th-Oct. 10th

PAIRINGS: Ten visual artists and ten poets inspire one another in this collaborative exhibition presenting 20 new works initiated by visual and literary artists sharing their work, first with each other, and now with you. Each visual artist shared a work to inspire a partner poet, and each poet shared a work to inspire a partner visual artist. These pairings reveal unique visions and vibrant compositions that are elevated by collaborative creativity. What do you see on “the bridge” between them?

Visual Artists: Bonnie Chovanec, Candace Joseph, Jolene Joyner, Rhonda Luckey, Mandi Moerland, Cora Smith, Sandy Trimble, Ken Vinton, Beth Wheeler, and Elle Woods

Poets: Mike Begnal, Susan Boser, David Brady, Frey Heide, Byron Hoot, Kimberly McElhatten, Wesley McMasters, Jay Orlando, Kenneth Sherwood, and Rebecca Ryan Yurky

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What men or gods are these? What maidens loth?

            What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape?

               What pipes and timbrels? What wild ecstasy?

So begins the poem Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats . It is the classic reference (literally and figuratively) of ekphrastic poetry. A speculation on the identity of lovers appearing to dance and play music as portrayed on Grecian pottery.   Ekphrasis: the vivid description of a work of art in words. Making an evocative word-picture. Maybe even helping to expand meaning. Let us take care not to refer to “the meaning” of an art work because it will have whatever meaning the viewer casts upon it. It’s a fun ride to see what a poet is moved to create from works of art. And vice-versa.

There are abundant historical examples of art derived from poetry of course. Shakespeare inspired many. I find Sir John Everett Millais’ Ophelia moving. Pablo Picasso’s iconic Don Quixote interprets the folly of battling windmills, in turn has been used as a source for ekphrastic literature in the Ekphrastic Review!  Salvador Dali offers wild interpretations via his rare illustrations for Alice In Wonderland.

See? I didn’t make up a word! (Though I’m not afraid to when offered the opportunity.) This time I’m playing it straight. The notion of creating a collaborative exhibition at The Hand has been burning in me for a while, inspired by local artist Ken Vinton’s story of a series of art and poetry exhibits near his beloved Sanibel Island in Florida. I hope you’ll come enjoy this inspired collection, and let your imagination out to play along.

Art > LIFE < Poetry