Visual art and literature have always shared a unique relationship, with both forms of expression working together to create immersive worlds. They evoke emotions and challenge our perceptions. Throughout history, these two artistic mediums have influenced one another, blending and balancing their strengths. But how closely are these two forms of art connected?
The Connection Between Visual Art and Literature
Visual art and literature are two sides of the same creative coin. While visual art primarily relies on images to convey meaning and emotion, literature uses written language to create imaginary worlds, characters, and narratives. Artists and writers draw inspiration from their experiences, culture, and the world around them, intertwining visual elements with text to create a cohesive and captivating experience.
Many classic works of literature have been enriched by visual art, from illuminated manuscripts of the Middle Ages to modern book covers and illustrations. Manga and comic books also thrive on their duality with visual arts and written storytelling. Visual art has also been inspired by literature, with countless paintings and sculptures depicting scenes, characters, and themes from beloved texts.
How Visual Art and Literature Appeal to Different Parts of the Human Brain
Visual art and literature stimulate different cognitive processes and areas of the brain, which can evoke contrasting emotional responses.
Visual art primarily engages the brain’s right hemisphere, which is responsible for processing images, spatial awareness, and emotions. This allows the viewer to form emotional connections with the artwork, often in a more immediate and visceral way. The human brain is adept at discerning relatability and meaning from abstract forms. Each time you look at a piece of art, your brain works subconsciously to make sense of its meaning. And the more you do this, the easier it gets to form some meaning from a piece of art, no matter how bizarre and abstract it is.
I myself remember returning to comic books and manga after years of only immersing myself in literature. And because my mind was so in tune with taking in words and formulating meaning, I would only focus on the actual words in the comic books. I had to train myself to slow down and take in the illustrations on the page, which tend to tell the story even without the text bubbles. Illustrators follow a disciplined set of principles to ensure that the images convey the thoughts, emotions, and expressions carried in the respective scene. It’s a crime to only read the words in a graphic novel.
There is even data that suggests our brains experience developmental changes when looking at a beautiful piece of art. A study in The Telegraph revealed that looking at a gorgeous painting, sculpture, or other artwork increases blood flow to the brain by as much as 10% — the equivalent of looking at someone you love.
On the other hand, literature activates the left hemisphere of the brain, responsible for language processing, logic, and analytical thinking. Reading requires us to decode written language and construct mental images of the story, characters, and settings. This process can lead to a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the narrative and themes, engaging our emotions through empathy and identification with the characters.
Neuroscientists have even suggested that reading stimulates the part of the brain, called the dorsal raphe nucleus. This part of the brain helps us to make friends. Meaning that reading helps us to feel connected with characters, real people, and the world around us.
In addition to this, reading has been proven to improve our memory, empathy, and emotional awareness.
How Visual Art and Literature Work Together
The interplay between visual art and literature allows them to complement and balance one another. Visual elements can enhance and clarify a narrative, guiding readers through the story and aiding comprehension. Meanwhile, the written word can provide context, depth, and nuance to visual art, allowing the audience to better understand and appreciate the artist’s intentions.
The Stigma of Illustrated Storytelling
Despite the harmonious relationship between visual art and literature, some purists argue that illustrated forms of storytelling, such as manga and comic books, are inferior to traditional literature.
In my personal opinion, this line of thinking discounts the skill, creativity, and emotional impact that these mediums can provide. Illustrated storytelling is a powerful and accessible form of expression that combines the strengths of both visual art and the written word, offering readers a rich, immersive experience that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers.
Graphic novels can be seen as a delightful marriage between visual art and literature that is able to convey concepts and emotions in a unique way. In the same way we can stare at a classic painting for hours, extracting its emotional messages and expressions, graphic novels also provide powerful storytelling experiences.
The illustrations serve to broaden the scope of the story, going beyond what the words themselves can offer. There are often spreads in graphic novels where no words or speech bubbles are used, leaving just the art to represent the meaning behind the scenes.
Sometimes, art can carry the mind where words cannot.
Conclusion
Visual art and literature have always been intertwined, enriching and inspiring one another while engaging different cognitive processes in the human brain. By appreciating the unique strengths of each medium and its potential for collaboration, we can learn to enjoy the contrast between the two.
And that’s not to say that visual art and written literature always have to co-exist together, as they each stand on their own. We are spoilt for choice with talented artists and writers spreading their works online.
Modern technology has empowered artists and writers, making it easier than ever to express themselves and present their works to audiences. Platforms like Webtoons make it so that there is no gatekeeping for who gets to share their stories. You just have to be skilled and dedicated enough to hone these respective crafts.
Therefore, we live in the perfect age to celebrate the beauty of both visual art and literature, embracing the diverse forms of storytelling that enrich our lives and broaden our understanding of the world.
References
University of Arizona: How Looking at Art Can Help Your Brain
Children Literature Archive: Comics for Creativity: Why Comics Should Have a Place in Art and Literary History
Images from Unsplash.
