It is hard to believe that there is only one week left in October! Celebrating the speed (whatever that may be) of time, “The Clock” is a poem by Emily Grossman. Drawing (charcoal on paper) and composition by me. Happy Friday!
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Illustrated Poetry 
Hi – don’t know how to proceed without sounding hmmm – mean- for lack of a better word but I must press on because I genuinely want to know. To begin I love your work, I do. I am currently struggling through understanding all the art featuring people (portraits?) where the faces are obscured, disfigured, or defaced (again for lack of a better word). I guess I would just like to know why you made that choice for your artwork? Obviously it is symbolic for the poem. There are hundreds of artists who do this work (Many exclusively), but so far no one I can find will talk about the sheer mass of art focusing on defacement of faces in art. I have been studying abstract art, surrealism, cubism, and collage art trying to understand this worldwide phenomena. What drew you to want to create this piece of art? Did you draw on surrealism, or abstract art? Are you influenced by other artists? I’m sorry – too many questions – I love your illustrated poems. Thanks – Lisa
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Hi Lisa,
It’s an interesting question – why so many artists focus on faces – especially when they alter the face in some, often dramatic, way. Biologically we are programed to be fascinated by the human face. Brain scans and other studies have shown that we unconsciously search for “faces” all the time, even in inanimate objects and landscapes. So much of our identity and self-esteem is tied up in our faces – how we look to others and how we perceive ourselves. We display emotion and receive most sensory information via the face – the interpretation of that information can be the difference between life and death. The decision to distort or change the human face in a work of art can explore those themes; it immediately grabs your attention and draws you in closer. For “The Clock”, I was directly influenced by the surrealists, by Dalí’s melting clocks and the “Persistence of Memory.” I was exploring the ideas of aging and the passage of time on the human body, how time (or the lack thereof) can stressfully impress itself on our consciousness. I hope this helps a little – I would be happy to discuss it further – and I am so glad you enjoy the illustrated poems! Thank you for your kind words. Sincerely, Marcy
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