I was honored to be contacted a few months ago by AP art student, Rebecca Loeffel, who was using Fem Queer Poetry as the focus for her course. She was informing me that she was using my poem “Kintsugi” from my award-winning collection If There’s No Heaven as inspiration for one of the pieces for her portfolio. She inquired whether I would like to see the finished piece. Of course, I replied with an emphatic “Yes.”
I have had other artists use my poetry as inspiration for their own work, and I have participated in several ekphrastic poetry projects, which I enjoy very much. For those that don’t know, ekphrastic poetry is an exploration of art. The poet uses a device known as ekphrasis to create a poem based on and inspired by a painting, drawing, sculpture, or other form of visual art. Music and dance may also be used to inspire a piece of ekphrastic writing.
I remember in elementary school being asked to write or draw something based on a piece of classical music that was being played by the teacher.
Reverse ekphrastic is when a visual artist uses a poem as inspiration for his or her piece of art.
I am always humbled when my work speaks to others in such a way that they want to incorporate it into their own projects. I love it when I am able to collaborate with other artists of any genre. It is uplifting to be able to work with other artists on a joint endeavor.
When Rebecca shared her piece with me, I was humbled again. Her piece was in an art show at her school. She told me that her piece, inspired by my poem “Kintsugi,” features a portrait of trans actress Hari Nef. It was painted with classic watercolors and metallic gold watercolor paint. She told me that she had a wonderful time working on her piece. I absolutory loved the piece!
Thank you to Rebecca Loeffel for this wonderful tribute to my poetry.
Barbara Marie Minney is a transgender woman, award-winning poet, writer, speaker, teaching artist, and quiet activist. She is a retired attorney and a seventh generation Appalachian. Now based in Tallmadge, Ohio, her first collection of poetry entitled “If There’s No Heaven” was the winner of the 2020 Poetry Is Life Book Award and the Akron Beacon Journal Best Northeast Ohio Books 2020. It is available through this website at www.poetryislifepublishing.com. Barbara is also the author of the "Poetic Memoir Chapbook Challenge," and the forthcoming "Dance Naked With God. "Follow her at www.barbaramarieminneypoetry.com.
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