Mini-Workshop: Writing an Ekphrastic Poem in Response to a Visual Work of Art
What is an ekphrastic poem?
Broadly defined, an ekphrastic poem describes another work of art: a painting or statue, a piece of music, a dance, etc.
Examples
Famous
Listed: Poems inspired by paintings. A Selection of 10 Great Poems and the Paintings that Inspired Them. (theartsdesk.com)
What is Ekphrastic Poetry? How Poets Engage with Art. (Thoughtco.c0m)
Modern
Tips for writing an ekphrastic poem
- Choosing one artwork that you respond to (touches, puzzles, frightens, clarifies) is key.
- Go broad or go small: Write about the scene as a whole—or focus on a specific detail.
- Choose an approach—there is no right or wrong way to write your poem:
- Write as an outsider: Write from the perspective of a “narrator”—how you are moved by the scene or subject depicted in the artwork as an objective observer (not just a description of what you see).
- Write as an insider: Imagine yourself standing “inside” the artwork, then write in the subjective voice of the person or objects shown.
5 Tips for Writing Ekphrastic Poetry. (PowerPoetry.com)
