Ekphrastic Poetry Event
This Sunday, 2:00pm at Boom Gallery
As a member of Geelong Writers, I was invited to join the group for an afternoon of ekphrastic poetry at Boom Gallery. Writers were encouraged to write a poetic response to one or more of the art works of Graeme Altman, Nick Dridan and Meredith Earlson on show at Boom’s Sept-Oct art exhibition.Β We had an hour or so to view the works and draft some responses. We were also invited to continue working on our pieces at Neighbour cafe at the conclusion of the event. The featured image above, is a painting by Graeme Altman, titled ‘Waiting’, the one that I chose to write a piece of poetry about. Below is my first ever ekphrastic response to a piece of artwork. I wonder if Graeme Altman approves of my interpretation of his spectacular painting.
Waiting Time
I’m a time-traveler on a mission
Waiting for a personal vision
An image of my father’s ghost
To appear above the white-water coast
Millenniums ago, I delivered him to the ocean
Threw his ashes across the horizon
Away from faceless time-clocks
Away from hidden jagged rocks
Now I see him proudly standing afloat
Wondering who’s left to row the boat
Waiting for the breeze, without a sail
Seeking his passage through soundless hail
Beyond tumbling waves, a prism of light
Waiting stops, his alien spirit soarsΒ tonight
Ivor Steven (c)Β 2018
I’m sure that the artist would not only approve but would be delighted Ivor. A brilliantly observational poem. Well done.
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Thanks, maybe this alien poet might get some soon, 2.00am π΄π΄
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What a wonderful interpretation Ivor. If I was the artist I would be mightily impressed. π
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Thank you Sue, your praise gives me confidence about my work, which by the way will be sent off to the artist for his appraisal πby the Geelong Writers group.
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Beautifully done Ivor! You have such a wonderful way with words my friend!
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Thanks Walt, for your kind words, I was hoping my poem did the painting justice it deserved
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You’re very welcome! It fit the painting so well!
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Such an incisive interpretation that you put forward in the most beautiful selection of words β€
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Thank you for reading, and I appreciate your kind comments
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Nice, beautiful flow.
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Thanks Mark, overall the day was an enjoyable exercise.
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π
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Fantastic! π
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I thought you’d enjoy my interpretation…..
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Fantastic poem to a fantastic painting!
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Thank you Anie, the art exhibition and writing a poem about a painting I liked was a fantastic day for me xx
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I believe this!!! Paintings can be very inspiring!… ohhh wait each kind of art can inspire to create another kind of art…. floating energy which create a feeling of happyness!
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Yes Anie, there was lots of good vibes, and inspiration from the painting came to me quite to form a solid draft to my eventual poem. I’ll find you the link to Boom Gallery and you can view all the paintings I had to chose from, click on the pictures of each artist, and should open their paintings
https://www.boomgallery.com.au/exhibitions
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thank you Ivor for the link, I had already a look and like his pictures a lot!
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Yes, they are beautiful paintings xx
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OH! I think he would approve AND be very honored!
Your poem fits the painting perfectly, Ivor!
I love how artists inspire each other…can be each other’s muses…for example, music can inspire paintings and poems can inspire music and so on and so forth! π
HUGS!!! π
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Thanks Carolyn, it certainly was a fascinating afternoon. And we’re hoping to get an arts grant from the government to produce a documentary type video, a poet reciting his poem in the art gallery beside the painting, and the artist there too, with his description of his painting and appraisal of the poem. That’s the grand plan at the moment π€π
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Sounds like a really grand grand plan! Wow! π
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Hopefully we can get the support and and complete this fascinating project ππ
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I hope you all can!
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I have read these two in the reverse order. Very well done
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As long as you enjoyed them derrick.
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Didn’t read this before, stupendous, love it!
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Thank you Kate, it’s a special one for me
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oh yes .. your Dad was obviously a strong and close guidance π
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Yes, I was a lucky one, I had a great Dad and best mate all in one xx
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what a blessing I wish many more could enjoy π
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