“Ut pictura poesis (as is painting so is poetry).” Horace
Project Title: Portrait of a poet, portrait of a poem
In the delicate dance between word and image, poetry and art converge. A poet, wielding the brush of language, creates vivid tapestries of verbal images, infusing them with colors, sounds, emotions, and profound thoughts. Similarly, an artist, utilizing the palette of visual elements, transforms abstraction into concrete forms, crafting representational figures and, in turn, portraits—portraits of poets. These drawings, showcased in the “Portrait of a Poet, Portrait of a Poem” installation project at the Cincinnati Center for Contemporary Art in 2016, encapsulate the essence of this harmonious interplay. The project, a collection of portrait sketches, pays homage to modern and contemporary poets hailing from diverse corners of the globe. As the strokes of the artist’s hand breathe life into the visual representation of poets, a unique synergy unfolds. The project becomes a testament to the universal language shared by poets and artists alike—a language that transcends geographical boundaries and captures the spirit of creativity. In each sketch lies a narrative, a poetic expression captured in visual form. Together, they form a collective ode to the beauty found at the intersection of literature and art. “Portrait of a poet, portrait of a poem” invites viewers to traverse the corridors of imagination, where the realms of poetry and portraiture intertwine in a celebration of the human spirit.
Venue: Cincinnati Center Contemporary Art (CAC)
Medium: Mixed Media Installation
Date Completed: 2016
