Artists, Words and Language Make For Beautiful Art

Many of us use words daily to convey some form of communication. We may write them down, speak to another, read words or even listen to them. Words are powerful, and when we use words to convey emotions, they carry even more weight. Artists have also often used them to express different perspectives on the world; instead of using paints, words have been utilized to ‘paint’ a picture, too. Read more in: Artists, Words and Language Make For Beautiful Art

Image on left-hand side: Nora Turato, Photography Diana Pfammatter

In 1912, the Cubist art movement (which represented their reality through a 3D perspective), first included printed letters and visuals in their art; a collage of textures, colours, shapes and words.

Therefore, adding letters was second nature for them and was quickly carried on into the world of modern art. While painting was the main medium for art, words spoke to everyone. Before many of the general public could read, paintings were a way to communicate ideas and stories. As reading became far more commonplace in different communities, words became a tool for all. Each word used in an artwork can be interpreted by the artist and the public, as is the painting. 

Once words were seen as a new way of ‘painting pictures’, they were used for many different purposes. Words could be placed anywhere in a piece of art, from graphic labels to even concrete poetry (a poem that concentrated on the form and shape of the poem, rather than its meaning). From narrative works, all the way to conceptual art and social comment.

In the 1950s, text art developed through the work of collages. Ed Ruscha was one of the artists who became popular thanks to using text from everyday sources in his artwork.

Known for his experimental paintings, he would incorporate words and sentences and use them in a graphic way within his artwork. His exploration of conceptual ideas, like the ‘noise and fluidity’ of language, significantly influenced the Pop Art movement and the way future artists used words in their works.

Twentysix Gasoline Stations by Edward Ruscha

While a man led the way, women took on the mantle and became the main artists to elevate the ideas of words in art.

In the 1970s, American artist Barbara Kruger started to use words to denounce the development of mass media and consumerism; while searching how to transmit her ideas through different styles, the concept of words came up. Her work initially used common phrases with photographs.

Then, towards the end of that decade, she came up with her signature style work by using large-scale images overlaid with text. She gave a purpose to found images by juxtaposing them with short, pithy phrases printed in specific fonts that would make her work recognised instantly. Within these works, her choice of words was used as a social critique. 

Belief+Doubt (2012) at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Barbara Kruger

At a similar time, another female artist, Jenny Holzer, also used her artworks in public spaces and displayed them on installations for all to see. The goal of her work was to raise political and social justice debates, whether via a billboard, a painting, an electronic sign or any other form of printed material.

Through her installations, two interpretations could be felt, a personal one and a public one. This specific idea of multiple interpretations was one fo the reasons that made her artwork powerful.

Jenny Holzer’s “Light Line” at the Guggenheim, 2024

In the 1990s, another woman used words in an autobiographical and confessional artwork: Tracey Emin. The leading figure of the Young British Artists also used different media to convey words into her work, from sculpture to painting, even neon; words were included as a reflection.

Her emotional honesty throughout her work regarding her sharing of her personal life created an intimate space for the public, who may have related to such depictions through their personal interpretations of the words used. 

More recently, words have been explored by Nora Turato. With her artwork, she explores the ephemeral and versatile nature of language itself, which is experienced every day as a collective ‘game’.

Nora Turato Installation view ‘it’s not true!!! stop lying!’, Sprüth Magers, Los Angeles, 2024 Courtesy of the artist and Sprüth Magers Photography Robert Wedemeyer

To do so, she creates mixed media by portraying everyday words that she considers loaded to catch attention and create a reflection. It can be done through performances, panels, installations, videos and more. Her unique mix of different media with words only captivates the audience to reflect on the languages that communities use to talk to each other daily. 

Nora Turato Installation view ‘IN SITU #1 – Nora Turato: I hear you, I hear you.’ , Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, 2024 Photography Claes Storm

It will be the first time Nora Turato will do a solo presentation: pool7, in the UK. The artist will be exhibiting her new exhibition with several performances at the Institute of Contemporary Arts from April 9th to June 8th.

This time, words will be displayed through graphic design, writing, videos, and sounds made from the curation of samples from sources such as media headlines, books, discussions, advertising, online speeches, and content.

Nora Turato sleep / it’s good for you! 2024 Vitreous enamel on steel (4 parts) 242 x 192.5 x 3 cm. Courtesy of the artist and Sprüth Magers Photography Robert Wedemeyer

While her topic of interest is the same as her previous pool of work, many different questions are being raised by Turato’s new work.

What creates communication? How do we express ourselves? What is the role of language in a community? An even more personal take is given to this experimental work, bringing to the public an emotional connection with language, personally and collectively. 

Nora Turato, pool7, 2025, image courtesy of the artist

Words seem to have always been of interest for the artists as well as communities. They can be interpreted in many different ways and define everything in our surroundings. Including the beauty of language into art creates an art work in which words also become art, thanks to the experiments of all these artists.

Nora Turato: pool7 at the Institute of Contemporary Arts April 9th June 8th 2025.

If you enjoyed reading Artists And Language: When Words Become Art then why not read Waltz Your Way Through the Grandeur of Potted Art

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