In some sense, all art is a response to other works of art. This is especially true with ekphrastic poetry, which are poems written in response to existing visual images. In this seminar, we’ll look at ekphrastic poems by other writers and talk about how they investigate, interpret, or expand on works of art, whether sculpture, paintings, drawings, or photographs. We’ll also discuss the poems of class members to understand how a writer can engage creatively with a visual artist’s work. All students will receive a packet with a range of examples of ekphrastic poems, which we’ll use for conversation and inspiration.
Instructor: Margaret Mackinnon