You know that feeling you get ... that you got ... when you were a little kid and were so surprised at something so cool all you could do was say, Oh! ? That's me when I saw a link to a review of an art exhibit by visual poet Margaret Ong.
Visual Poet...I didn't even know such an art existed...and, yet I did because I have been growing as a visual poet for some time, not understanding that there is a name for my urge to play with words on a page with paint and glue and rubber stamps and even a sewing machine.
I'm a happy beginner. Margaret Ong is a master. Come on-- let's go see some of her work!
Start by clicking on this article by John Yau in Hypoallergenic
(Yau, John. “A Poet-Artist Looks to the Stars.” Hyperallergic, 6 Aug. 2021, https://hyperallergic.com/667278/monica-ong-poet-artist-looks-to-the-stars/.) .
 |
 |
As you can imagine, I started taking in Ong's work...and haven't stopped--likely never will. I have so much to learn. Ong's current exhibit in Chicago is also star-based. Isn't that the best? Now, I have to figure out a way to see her art in person.
The image below is a visual poem draft of words found John Yau's article (
to arrange as a found poem.
 |
| visual poem draft -- Linda Mitchell May '22 |
I was a bit behind on the star padlet...but am caught up. Hooray! Nothing fancy...just two haiku that make me happy.
Thank you, Rose at Imagine the Possibilities for hosting this week's Poetry Friday round-up.
Thanks again for pointing me in the direction of Margaret Ong's work. I enjoy found poetry and love how yours takes on a visual representation.
ReplyDeleteThank you for introducing me to to Margaret's work, Linda. I really enjoy the visual nature of your posts, and your found poem is no exception.
ReplyDelete"Oh!" That's what I say when I see what you create, Linda. Ong's work is amazing, but so is yours. Visual artist...that moniker looks good on you. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a find! Ong's work is fascinating. (And frustrating: the article is about an exhibit that was in New Haven last summer!) I am always in awe of the way you create stunning visuals to combine with your poetry, and "Swing" is no exception. I love these lines: "A state of unknowing/crumbling/along the top edge." Visual poet is exactly what you are!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you found this Margaret from whom to grow your own art. How cool is she! I love your new title as "visual poet." It fits!
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks for introducing us to Ong's work!!! Fascinating stuff -- are concrete poetry and "visual poetry" related? Maybe VP has pictorial images + word collages? "Swing" is so cool. You've been ahead of the curve all along with your unique approach to words + images.
ReplyDeleteThis is fascinating work, Linda. I was intrigued by Ong's work and then you shared a n amazing visual poem, Swing. It swings from early ages to contemporary work. You are digging deeper now. I'm off to see your padlet.
ReplyDeleteI love the term "visual poet" which you definitely are! Your poem is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely adding her collection to my wishlist. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI went hunting for this Visual poet as you mentioned she has an exhibit in Chicago, and found a Monica Ong at the Poetry Foundation through June 30th 2022, here's a link: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/exhibitions/157109/monica-ong-planetaria Thanks for sharing her Linda, definitely see a twinkling connection between the stars of you two, and "SWING, has an ethereal feeling. Both of your works remind me of the artist Joseph Cornell– his boxes, and the surrealist artists too, especially Remedios Varo, thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow! Beautiful form! I love the found poem form and your added art, especially "star maps as snow/Where names and beliefs come from night sky" - haunting! Thank you, Linda!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to suddenly find a name for your passion and a (virtual) colleague and mentor! Can't wait to follow you and your poetry and your art down new paths!!
ReplyDeleteSWING! (and also "schwing!" in the manner of Wayne's World)...Your use of the words of the review of Monica's work is inspired, and the visual images you select always surprise me in the most satisfying way! I think this is also what I"m looking towards in the future, and I do have to say that "Jupiter's Family of Comets" gives me some confidence that my spider poem need not be "fixed," in all the meaning of that word.
ReplyDeleteDare I suggest we collaborate in the future?
DeleteOh Linda! This art is so cool (both Ong's and yours!). Thank you for introducing me!
ReplyDeleteOh, Linda - you're a continuing inspiration. You are so speaking my language, and thank you for the introduction to Margaret Ong's work.
ReplyDeleteThe line that ensnares me in your beautiful piece here is "The patriarchy embedded in Vintage paper" - since you know I'm usually up to my elbows in old, old ephemera. I grapple with how the world was a century or two ago when I'm making things, but also - how it is STILL. Sigh. Thank you for sharing your gifts and your own inspirations!
Lovely! Thank you for sharing this new-to-us artist!
ReplyDelete