Is Poetry an Art? - Leighann Anderson's Blog

Many people today still see art as being in the form of paintings, drawings or sculptures and when asked if they consider any form of writing to be within the category of art they usually say no without an explantion.  Many things that a person does using their creativity should be included.  To write about anything there has to be an idea at its root before it even begins to sprout into something larger and become more of an image.  I studied Art to the highest level my school offered: Advanced Higher, and it only included drawing and, in some cases, painting, it never considered writing to be art... but that is before I used certain words within my drawings, almost hidden by colour and images, but like anything else considered to be art you have to look closely to find the meaning and emotion behind it.  My art teacher kept that drawing of mine and framed it, it still hangs on his wall, he even asked me to sign it.  Ever since then he has been a reader of my work and strangely enough he uses them as templates for drawings.  I remember seeing a drawing on his desk, I simply could not stop looking at it because it was like a poem of mine brought to life; he had used "Burning Dust", and that is a slightly dark poem about death and cremation, it actually scared me and not a lot does.  He saw my face, it was apparently full of confusion but he noticed the drawing and asked me "What do you think? Does that reflect what you wrote?". 

So, which of you consider poetry an art and which of you don't?

Anne Rutherford Date: 5/29/2011 2:02:00 PM Leighann, I think that we as poets create a picture with words ,or that is what a good poem should do. To read a poem and visualize it as you read is unquestionably art. Great question you've posited here .Anne Login to Reply

Date: 5/26/2011 9:47:00 PM Poetry from my understanding is an art form. It's a creative experience. I've always had a creative soul which has found different art forms over the years. I even had a poem selected for an art and poetry exhibit. I say--Keep the creativity shining no matter what the form!!!! Best wishes in your artistic journey. Karen Login to Reply

Debbie Guzzi Date: 5/26/2011 5:10:00 PM Poetry can be an Art but it is not always, what Art is ...has always been a heated discussion, I would say simply if it is remembered generation after generation it's art, whether music, painting, sculpture, theater..to me being memorable makes it Art. Login to Reply

Carolyn Devonshire Date: 5/26/2011 12:03:00 PM Definitely, poetry is an art form, Leighann. I have a bachelor of "arts" degree in speech and theater. Art entails far more than paintings or drawings. It's any vehicle a person uses to express emotions in a creative platform -- novels and many other forms of literature would be included. So glad you and your teacher receive inspiration from each other. It must be a special relationship. Love, Carolyn Login to Reply

James Fraser Date: 5/26/2011 11:44:00 AM Art is art, no matter what it turns out like. The old cliche covers it "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" What someone likes, someone doesn't, and that's what makes us all so special..... Login to Reply

Kabuteng P.Ink K. Date: 5/26/2011 8:22:00 AM Hi Leighann :) You sure are lucky to have had such a supportive art teacher...I definitely think that poetry CAN be art-- depends actually on how it is written and of how it touches/moves the readers-- I've never really tried painting but I think that like what the others say here, writing poetry can be pretty similar, just a different medium :) For me, there is a certain artistry involved in writing a poem :) Login to Reply

Vee Bdosa Date: 5/26/2011 8:07:00 AM Well Leighann, I will have to get my family tree out coming from the Arbuthnott clan of Celts somewhere in NE Scotland, forget the town but it is where the Arbuthnott House is, which an ancestor John Arbuthnott built the house and a bridge I think. , Anyway, yeh, poetry can be art. in many ways. Vice versa? Not so much. I will read your stuff. Login to Reply

Brian Strand Date: 5/26/2011 6:42:00 AM One definition of painting(art) I came across Leighann is..an opportunity to explore both our seen world and our felt inner world of experience..poetry seems to do that as well but with different format.What is 'good' or otherwise is subjective and depends on the viewer or reader as our contests here(inc mine) so readily reveal! Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 5/25/2011 9:58:00 PM oooh, I just saw Paula's remark. Loved it! Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 5/25/2011 9:56:00 PM Leighann, it depends on who you ask. For sure, most poets will consider it an art, and many educated people will too. I would say "good poetry" is an art. But just like with paintings, it's about the ability of the "creator." If i were to draw for you, that would not be art. That would suck!! However, I would hope that a few of my poems might be considered art by my peers. If a person dances very well, I consider that a form of art as well! Particularly the contemporary dancing in which emotions are expressed thru choreography. Which reminds me, the best show ever begins tomorrow: So You Think You Can Dance.Do they have that show in Scottland? Login to Reply

Matt Hunt Date: 5/25/2011 8:46:00 PM I definately consider it an art. You are drawing on peoples emotions and telling stories with your words. The only difference with a painting is it's painted, rather than drawn. Both, however, serve this dual purpose. Login to Reply

James Foulk Date: 5/25/2011 7:28:00 PM any time you create, it is art, poetry is an art, we paint things in peoples minds, to let them see as if we had painted a picture. Login to Reply

Dr.Ram Mehta Date: 5/25/2011 6:49:00 PM yes, I do. Poetry is painting that speaks, Leighann Login to Reply

Linda-Marie Sweetheart Date: 5/25/2011 6:45:00 PM Most certainly ..YES.. poetry is as artistic as a painting or sculpture .. impressive blog Leighann.. Login to Reply