From Titian to Alex Katz, artists and poets have long enjoyed a symbiosis.

 

In our podcast "A brush with… Alex Katz," one of the key insights we explore is the significant influence of poetry on the art of this renowned American painter. Katz reminisces how poets from the New York School, such as James Schuyler and Frank O’Hara, alongside others like Anne Waldman, served as a natural audience and inspiration for his work. These poets not only influenced Katz's artistic vision but also made appearances in his artworks, with O’Hara being among Katz’s earliest subjects for sculptural cut-outs, and Waldman depicted twice wearing a patterned headscarf in "Face of a Poet" (1972).

Katz fondly remembers O’Hara as his hero, particularly admiring his emotional depth. O’Hara, in turn, provided perceptive commentary on Katz's art, recognizing the tension between American and European influences in his paintings. Katz sought to merge the muscularity of post-war American painters with the sophistication of European techniques, drawing from artists like Cézanne and Bonnard.

O’Hara's observations delve into Katz's portrayal of figures within abstract spaces, noting a sense of void and the figures existing as formal solutions rather than existential beings. This artistic approach reflects the ongoing dialogue between poetry and painting, a relationship that has historically thrived.

Indeed, the intertwining of art and poetry has a rich history, evident in relationships like that of Titian and Pietro Aretino, or Picasso and his literary circle, which included luminaries like Guillaume Apollinaire and Jean Cocteau. Picasso's profound impact on poets stemmed not just from his art but also from his personal struggles and intense creative process.

Today, artists like Alberta Whittle and Rachel Whiteread continue to collaborate with writers and poets, drawing inspiration from the lyrical and expressive qualities of poetry. This fusion of artistic disciplines underscores the enduring relevance of poetry in shaping visual art, illustrating a symbiotic relationship that spans centuries.

The upcoming exhibition "Alex Katz: Collaborations with Poets" at The Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio, and "Alex Katz: Claire, Grass and Water" at Fondazione Giorgio Cini in Venice provide further opportunities to explore these connections between poetry and art.