Art, Word and Image

Art, Word and Image examines the use of words (or language) in art – most often painting. This book asks what it means when a painting is 'invaded' by language – how do the two forms converse and combine, and what messages are intended for the viewer? Whether the picture frame is encroached upon by doodlings, as with Adolf Wolfli's seemingly irrational scribbles, or a plea to spirituality is blazoned across a vast canvas, as in the moving images of Colin McCahon, we can be sure that words here have a special meaning, one beyond normal language and communication.