Ekphrastic #1: Of humble origins

My thoughts on a simple Erwin Eisch glass piece

“Untitled Vessel” by Erwin Eisch (1927-2022), German. Blown glass, 1978. Photo taken by Jeannie Ewing on August 17, 2024.

For an audio version of this essay, please listen here:

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As members of the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Ben and I enjoy an event called “Wine by the Glass,” which is thematically based on a particular country. On our most recent visit, Germany was featured, which meant we sampled four German wines and viewed previews of four glass art pieces by German artists.

President and CEO Charles Shepard III displayed on screen an image of a glass piece he selected for the event, explaining the origins of the art and sometimes the process or materials used. After the presentation ended, patrons were invited to tour the entire glass wing of the art museum—which is rapidly expanding, by the way. Shepard told our group that he aspires to procure over 1,000 glass pieces and for the museum to display the largest glass art wing in the Midwest.

In the past, I noticed signs throughout the glass wing inviting viewers to write an Ekphrastic poem. This never occurred to me—to combine writing with visual art through spontaneous inspiration—but I tucked the idea away for another time.

In August, I brought my notebook and readied myself for whatever pieces popped out in an emotional way, that spoke to me. I took photos of each to accompany each poem. I will say that obtaining permission for using them has been a challenge, but Vice President and CPO of the museum, Colleen Huddleson, suggested a specific way for me to pay proper acquisition to each artist.

According to The Poetry Foundation, an Ekphrastic poem is

a vivid description of a scene or, more commonly, a work of art. Through the imaginative act of narrating and reflecting on the “action” of a painting or sculpture, the poet may amplify and expand its meaning.

Poets.org defines Ekphrasis another way:

Ekphrasis is the use of vivid language to describe or respond to a work of visual art.

Though there’s no singular way to create an Ekphrastic poem, I chose to focus on personifying the image, using it as a metaphor for channeling human emotion—my reaction. Each piece visually represented my spontaneous response, what stirred in my heart and emerged on paper.

The first piece I selected was a simple glass pot, blackened, in the shape of a rudimentary urn by Erwin Eisch he called “Untitled Vessel.” Here is my reaction through words to his piece, and I hope it speaks to you:

I am overlooked
Simple,
Small,
Of humble origins.

Most are searching
Beyond me
For flashy works,
But I sit among
The patient—
Still,
Waiting.

I know there is one
Who will recognize
That what appears
Insignificant
Can astonish
If you sit with it
For a while—
Allow yourself to
Absorb
The beauty.

I come from
Beginnings,
The formation of life.
I fill and empty
At the same time.

I am both nothing and everything.

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