Visual Poetry

The first visual poems I was attracted to both conceptually and visually were by e.e. cummings. I loved the way his words snaked down the page. Later, I saw several shows of visual poetry and was especially drawn to Yoko Ono for her completely personal and unique approach. Visual poems are to be seen as well as read and part of their content is in the visual image.

These visual poems in are based on a geometric grid format. I first compose them in pencil on graph paper, then the image is transferred to the computer where I fill in the words. When printed, they have a twofold purpose for me: they can stand alone as poems and be used in print, to be included in Visual poetry publications, or to become collage elements. This form also grew from an interest in crossword puzzles and scrabble. In many ways, the words chosen are random, whatever word fits the spaces. Often a word will suggest a theme, subject or direction. Once I start, the words just happen.

Visual Poems have been included in a solo show at Opalka Gallery, Russell Sage College, Albany, New York and in group shows at the Art Center of the Capital Region, Troy, NY, the Denis Collins Gallery in Wexford, Ireland, and in New York City at El Bario Artspace and Artsy at The Painting Center. In publications: The New Croton Review, Croton, NY; Scene 4, Seattle, Washington; Luna Pisonte Prods, Columbus, Ohio; UNI/vers(;) Visual (& experimental) Poetry, Halle (Saale) East Germany; and A Point of View – Visual Poetry: the 90s, An Anthology, Koenigsberg.

Visual Poems are also included in the Sackner Archive of Visual and Concrete Poetry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, and in the Black Mountain College Museum, Asheville, North Carolina, USA.