Part B
Explore the Arts as an Audience Member - Justine Knight
As part of
my bronze-art awards I explored an artistic event from the point of view of an
audience member. I attended an exhibition of artwork by Zoe Benbow and a
reading and discussion by poets Sarah Corbett and Jo Shapcott.
The
discussion was based around the concept of women poets and artists that use the
landscape to create different pieces of emotional artwork. Poets ranged from
Emily Dickinson to Sylvia Plath and they explored the idea of how we as humans
are both part of the landscape and separate from it. How humans are moulded by
nature around them and how this creates a certain atmosphere to the piece,
whether it’s in awe of the raw power of nature (such as in Emily Bronte’s poem
Spellbound) to the appreciation of the simplicity and the landscape around
them.
This
discussion provided an interesting insight into the world of art and how we as
humans develop a piece depending on the mood and atmosphere that is there
during the creation. It inspired me to continue to explore other poet’s
techniques and to question what the writer was trying to convey towards its
audience and how they create that aura to their work. How they develop their
own style over time similar to the famous poets and how they use assonance and
metaphors to convey abstract feelings that cannot be conveyed through ordinary
means.
The discussion
and reading also helped me develop contacts into the field of writing as I met
and discussed possible future workshops with Sarah Corbett. This provided
helpful skills for the future when my writing will depend on these contacts and
how I integrate myself within the art community. It gave me the confidence to
ask questions and delve into the writer’s work, to understand the thought and
reasoning behind their pieces. Having Sarah Corbett’s expertise will benefit
both myself personally and peers from my young writers group. Meeting
like-minded people was also beneficial as they gave a new light on classic
literature and their own opinions made me view the poems in a different but
interesting way. There were a mixed audience of both genders and a large age range
that meant various opinions were bought into discussion from people’s different
background and gender.
I also viewed artwork by Zoe Benbow and she
talked through the creative process that led to her drawings and paintings.
This was interesting as it allowed me to explore another artistic viewpoint that,
being not very artistic with drawing, was a valuable insight into how other
artists worked. Altogether this free event allowed me to meet like minded
people and develop contacts for future reference. The discussion was thought
provoking and allowed everyone who took part some interesting ideas and
theories about the women artists and the landscape around them.
