As a visual artist and writer, I sometimes get torn between expressing my ideas in visual form or, text form. So, I am constantly exploring ways to bring the two together; to see how words can enhance the meaning of my visual pieces and how images can bring another dimension to my poetry. Part of me wants the two to always be happily married together but, I realise that they can also be sometimes better just living apart. I don’t want their alliance to ever feel forced or arranged.
I’m conscious that I need to let them walk their own paths, side by side, in parallel and only bring them together when it feels that the amalgamation benefits both.
Written language within visual art has the power to block, to channel or to enable thought or emotion. It can be a bridge to be crossed or a barrier. Perhaps though, it can never be simply neutral?
It can seem as if visual interpretations fall within a deeper and wider sensory spectrum than that of words. But then I eat those words as soon as I have said them as I also know that words (woven well) can be incredibly powerful, wide-ranging, and descriptive.
I guess it all comes down to weaving, to matchmaking, to sensing when the two want to live in harmony or when they need to thrive by being independent.
I like the way artist Sol LeWitt put it….
“Since no form is intrinsically superior to another, the artist may use any form, from an expression of words (written or spoken) to physical reality, equally”.
Sol was a multi-disciplinary artist who produced over 50 artist’s books.
I have returned to working with artist’s books, exploring how the format can provide the platform for my images, concepts, and words to grow happily ever after!
