Poetry Prompt no.7: John Olsen

  • Melpomene
    8 years ago

    As most of you know I have an absolute love for art. Todays prompt has been inspired by the Australian Artist John Olsen. I have taught John Olsen in my classroom many times and thought that his artworks could be your inspiration for a poem.

    John Olsen was born in 1928 in New South Wales (the state I live). He has traveled across the world and extensively throughout Australia. In the 1950s, Olsen's work moved from abstract to figurative and recognisable forms, where his brush "danced and walked rapidly across the canvas." In his work, Olsen provided a new interpretation to the Australian scene, redefining landscapes from ground level to an aerial perspective, thus creating the horizon-less landscape.

    Here is your prompt! select one of of John Olsen's artworks from below and write a poem. I don't mind what the poem is about, so long as it was inspired by the artwork.

    1. Sydney Sun
    http://www.etchinghouse.com.au/images/2185.jpg

    2. Five Bells
    http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/media/collection_images/1/133.1999%23%23S.jpg

  • Bob Shank
    8 years ago

    Interesting pictures , the second one looks like donald trump overseeing his world, with all the garbage leaking out of his mouth...I don't know why I got that image

  • hiraeth
    8 years ago

    Sydney sun look's like a bird's eye view of the sun superimposed/combined with an aerial shot of Australia's outback. I googled around, and came across Kakadu National Park, which supposedly houses ancient tribal paintings, which I think the painting slightly hints at/embodies. Sounds like an interesting prompt, I'll give it a shot!

  • Melpomene
    8 years ago

    Bob, that's an interesting interpretation of the art work. They often say in expressive and abstract works that the image and meaning will take on whatever the audience is internally processing.

  • Milly Hayward
    8 years ago

    Hi Bob

    I was inspired to write my poem called Imagery of my mind after viewing the painting of the bells
    Did you want me to post a copy here or do you want to see it under my poems list?

    Its called Images of my Mind

    http://www.poems-and-quotes.com/life/poems.php?id=1249497

    Milly

  • Em
    7 years ago

    Those images are breathtaking.