Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Semester of Degree Completion

1977

Thesis Director

Ben P. Watkins

Abstract

Is poetry art or is art poetry? Or what is poetry? What is art? There is art in creating poetry. And there are the poetic elements in creating painting/any form of art.

I have been involved in writing poetry since I was in high school. My first poem was published in 1965. During that time I also received formal training in art. Writing poetry to me then was only putting together words and phrases into ideas and stories. And painting to me at that time was selecting and juxtaposing colors into beautiful pictures on canvas.

Man changes in ideas, ideals and concepts as he grows older. Age and experiences mellow him. He encounters innumerable experiences both personal and impersonal. These experiences help him develop certain talents and abilities in himself.

An artist is not only born but also made. What I project in my thesis is the marriage of my artistic values with my ideas. In this marriage one can interpret my convictions, concepts and philosophy in life. I welcome people's criticism, reception and perception towards them.

I strongly believe that poetry has a lot to offer to the whole civilization of human beings. Therefore art. It is only appropriate then that I explore further the tremendous role that my poetry plays in my paintings. The painting itself creates further dimension in reading and appreciating the contents of my poetry.

My exploration and development of this technique have brought a new horizon to me both as a poet and an artist. From words-poetry, I embark upon visual arts using my poems as the medium of expression. Poetry to me should no longer be embedded in its traditional printed book form. Instead, poetry can be painted on canvas, can be created into sculpture, kinetic art, happening, conceptual art, lettrism.

I call my art, Audio-Visual Art. It is so named because one has to read my poem while seeing the painting. In the process of reading it one gets the audio effect which has now been created into a painting. In reading the painting one starts to visualize the poem. The painting is now in its concrete form. And the piece is an art piece.

I am actually making art of a subject/theme by spelling the name/word of the subject. For example, the subject is the verb “ FLY “. What I do is write down the word FLY on my canvas. Fly is painted over and over again with different strokes and colors. In doing it I take into consideration the rhythm, vibration, vitality and energy of flying. I won't stop creating until I have successfully created my own piece of art.

It is not my intention to explain in depth this media. I believe that the meaning in art cannot be fully explained. Art should allow for free interpretation. Failure to respect this belief would leave nothing for the viewers/gallery goers to journey into the meaning of the art. An artist is not a critic. Therefore he cannot put limitations on his work i.e. by explaining everything he means in his painting. Life is full of phenomena. Phenomena is experience. So let people teach and educate themselves in the appreciation of art. I hope that my audio-visual art has something to contribute to the international understanding which is badly needed today.

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