Text & ImageThe use of text in visual Art

Text (writing) and images are both means of representing meaning.In other words, they are both ways of conveying information.

When text accompanies an image it can help ‘anchor’ the meaning; just like an anchor which holds the ship in a desired location, the text can help ‘hold’ or direct the meaning of an image.

Images often accompany the text in newspapers so that the meaning (the story) is quickly conveyed to the viewer.

Without the picture AND text this front page would be meaningless.

John Hilliard, cause of death, 1974

In this famous artwork, John Hilliard uses the same photographic image, but by changing the crop and title he manages to completely change the meaning of each image.The text ‘anchors’ the meaning to a different interpretation or meaning for each image.

Robert Frank

Best known for his photo-essay book The Americans

However, in recent years he has produced several books containing ‘storyboards’ and utilising text.

Robert Frank, Halifax Infirmary

Text scratched onto images (polaroids).

Robert Frank

In this triptych* the titles for the first two images seem to fit with the images. Then we are hit with the third and are challenged to invent a narrative which ‘fits’.

*Triptych: three images which together form a single artwork.

Artist Gillian Wearing uses text in these images to make us confront our visual complacency and tendency to judge or stereotype.

Gillian Wearing

Keith Arnett (self portrait).Arnett became famous when his photographic artwork Self Burial was broadcast on German television in 1969. Much of his later work is very ‘conceptual’ and questions whether photography is really an ‘art’ (and whether he is a real artist!)

Duane Michals, This photograph is my proof, 2004

Artist Duane Michaels is perhaps best known for his narrative storyboards of the 1960s and 70s.

More recently he has produced work in which text and the act of actually writing that text becomes an integral part of the artwork.

Keith Arnatt, Notes from Jo, 1990-94.

This artwork consisted entirely of text (notes that his then girlfriend left him), yet they are displayed as a visual artwork (framed and hung on a wall).

Writing onto the photograph

Jim Goldberg

Jim Goldberg

Jim Goldberg

Gunnar Thor Vilhjalmsson

Gilbert & George, Was Jesus Heterosexual, 2005

Gilbert & George are two of the most famous British artists working today. Their art is often provocative and controversial, sometimes embedding text to both visually entertain and provoke the viewer..They are especially fond of taboo words!

Chris Monaghan, Golden Words, 2011

On Blackpool’s promenade (known as the golden mile) the council have recently created a huge artwork in marble, composed almost entirely of the catchphrases, scripts and jokes of British entertainers.

Text was used here in the parodying* of two famous films to create Christmas cards.(faces blurred to retain confidentiality)

* A parody is a humorous or comical imitation of a serious artwork or text.

Chris Monaghan

Chris Monaghan

If you actively look you will begin to notice text all around you (signs, adverts etc). Often the text will somehow ‘jar’ or ‘fit’ with the surrounding environment. This sort of text is found by the artist within the environment.

Chris Monaghan

Chris Monaghan, au contraire, 2010

Chris Monaghan

Chris Monaghan

Chris Monaghan

Text can be a fantastic source of inspiration for the observant photographer. Here it is the juxtaposition* of the two signs which the photographer noticed.*Juxtaposition is normally the placing of two things next to each other in order to emphasise their difference.

Chris Monaghan

Chris Monaghan

Chris Monaghan

Sometimes the sign itself is worthy of recording

Often just a little text in an image can help locate its meaning.What do you think these images are about and how can you tell?

Chris Monaghan

Often just a little text can help locate the image’s meaning.What do you think these images are about and how can you tell?

Chris Monaghan

Often just a little text can help locate the image’s meaning.What do you think these images are about and how can you tell?

ANSWER: They were part of a project to highlight the plight of the homeless.

Chris Monaghan

What a novel idea - child free parents

Chris Monaghan

Chris Monaghan

Chris Monaghan

Images can be made from text.

For an excellent explanation of how to achieve these effects see ‘Text as Image’ on TES online.

Summary• Text used as a title or embedded within an image can help anchor or direct the meaning.

• Text embedded in an image can be used to provoke or challenge the viewer or to add a deeper or unexpected meaning.

• ‘Found text’ can be used within images to create tension, humour, emotional response, sympathy etc.

• Text can be used quite literally to create an image.