Captivating Narratives: The Art of Visual Storytelling

In a world saturated with information and content, a compelling story often involves more than just words on a screen. Visual storytelling combines narrative with imagery and is potent tool for conveying messages, sparking emotions, and leaving a lasting impact on the viewer.

Let’s take a journey into the realm of visual storytelling through different forms– from photography and film to painting and illustration, we’ll delve into the various methods artists use to communicate and connect through an assortment of mediums.

1. Exorcism of the Last Painting I Ever Made, Tracey Emin

Tracey Emin, *Exorcism of the Last Painting I Ever Made*, 2023. Installation view by Victoria Hely-Hutchinson © Faurschou

Tracey Emin's installation, "Exorcism of the Last Painting I Ever Made," at Faurschou NY, invites visitors to step into a preserved room from 1996. Emin spent three weeks locked inside a gallery in Stockholm after a series of traumatic events, contemplating giving up painting forever. This room evokes countless emotions without saying a word, exemplifying a fundamental principle of visual storytelling: show, don't tell.

The cloistered space is filled with half-finished paintings, scattered materials, suspended clothing, empty bottles, and a solitary mattress on the floor. All these remnants from that pivotal moment in 1996 offer a glimpse into the artist's process, inner dialogue, and surroundings. Even though the artist no longer resides in the room, viewers can sense her presence and grasp the turmoil she experienced during this period of time.

2. Nope, Jordan Peele

In Seth Gitner’s Multimedia Storytelling for Digital Communicators in a Multiplatform World, he describes a concept called “the moment,” which he describes as, “…the instant when an event is crystallized, when its significance is packed into a fleeting incident, expression, or gesture,” (Gitner, pg 7).

Director Jordan Peele has a way of capturing countless moments in his films, and packaging them effortlessly. Take his 2022 movie, Nope for instance. While there were many frames to choose from, this one might be the most iconic, showing the protagonist, OJ Haywood’s long-awaited standoff with the alien terrorizing his ranch. This shot not only showcases the hallmarks of a well-composed image – framing, composition, lighting, etc. – but also marks the climax of the film.

3. Door, Caroline Polachek

Caroline Polachek, *Door*, 2019. Directed by Caroline Polachek and Matt Copson

Caroline Polachek’s songs are often accompanied with visuals that invite listeners to delve into her musical universe through film and photo. One example that has always stood out to me is the video for her 2019 single, Door.

In one frame, Polachek embraces a mirror reflecting her image repeatedly, forming an infinite portal, as the title suggests–a door. The use of metaphor in this narrative device is evident, with the mirror symbolizing this portal, transcending reality. The mirror's repetition parallels the song's chorus, reinforcing her words, “You open the door, To another door, to another door, To another door, to another door, And I'm running through to you.” This visual interpretation of the song’s lyrics adds more substance to a seemingly simple series of lines and illustrates the emotional depth that the artist is communicating.

4. someone will make a Saddle out of your falling hair, Astrid Terrazas

Astrid Terrazas, *someone will make a Saddle out of your falling hair*, 2021. Courtesy of the artist and P.P.O.W., New York Photo: Stan Narten

In the 2021 work, “someone will make a Saddle out of your falling hair” by Astrid Terrazas, we see another example of narrative. In the painting we see our protagonist, a self-insert of Terrazas, atop of a weeping horse. She screams in what could be interpreted as agony or victory with arms outstretched over her body, holding the ends of glowing braided hair.

Meanwhile, ghostly figures of cows, swans, an angel, and more hidden figures reside alongside her within a heart-shaped frame. This work leaves plenty to interpretation, and as viewers, we might find ourselves searching for the story through its symbolism. However, it is just as effective to lean into the emotional narrative as well as the physical. By tapping into this sensory lens, the story unfolds.

5. Untitled: Silueta Series, Mexico, Ana Mendieta

Ana Mendieta, *Untitled (from the Silueta series)*, 1973-1977. MCA Chicago

The Silueta series stands as one of the late artist Ana Mendieta's most renowned works, exploring the fusion of earth and body. What makes Mendieta's work so compelling is its delicate balance between the esoteric and the corporeal. This particular work evokes the enigmatic wonder of prehistoric cave paintings or petroglyphs dating back to circa 10,000 B.C.

In Elif Ayiter’s The History of Visual Communication, he delves into scholarly theories on cave paintings, suggesting their role in communicating with others, ascribing religious or ceremonial significance to them,

“Some theories hold that cave paintings may have been a way of communicating with others, while most theories ascribe a religious or ceremonial purpose to them, and that the paintings were made by paleolithic shamans. The shaman would retreat into the darkness of the caves, enter into a trance state, and then paint images of their visions, perhaps with some notion of drawing power out of the cave walls themselves. Thus, the purpose of these drawings would appear to be not communication among humans but communication directed at non-human deities and powers,” (Ayiter).

Ana Mendieta captures this very essence throughout her Silueta series, communicating her own visions and experiences and transforming them to reclaim her power.

6. Titanic Rising, Weyes Blood

Weyes Blood, *Titanic Rising*, 2019. Photo: Brett Stanley

Weyes Blood's 2019 debut album, "Titanic Rising," is enchanting in every aspect, and its cover art offers a first glimpse into the dreamworld woven by Natalie Mering. In order to create the image, Mering worked with underwater photographer, Brett Stanley to create a submerged bedroom. In an interview with Stereogum, she explains:

“Well, it’s kind of like the waters have risen over this bedroom which to me is symbolic of kind of a subconscious altar that all young people in western culture create for themselves… To me it stands for a lot of the silliness of our modern culture where the kind of things that we worship in our sacred spaces are based on media and movies because we don’t really have much else in the way of myths, if that makes sense” (Stereogum, 2019).

Mering's use of the archetypal bedroom/altar aligns with one of the four principles of visual storytelling emphasized by amplifi, “Archetypes: Tapping into identity,”

“The characters we place in our stories will be perceived in various ways by different audiences. But remember, stories that make an impression feature memorable characters readers or viewers can identify with,” (amplifinp.com). By choosing this common and relatable setting approached with layers of mystery and absurdity, Mering beckons the viewer to unravel the meaning with her.

7. A promise to my younger self, Ines J.

Ines J., *A promise to my younger self,* 2023

Here, a blend of illustration and hand-lettering by artist Ines J. invites viewers into the artist's world through symbolism and archetypes such as the butterfly, which often refers to transformation or metamorphosis. It also references the famous work of Michaelangelo’s The Creation of Adam in which a depiction of God bestows life upon the biblical first man, Adam, with the touch of a fingertip. These references, combined with the title "A promise to my younger self," tell a familiar coming-of-age tale.

The artist also inscribes the words "LET GO OF YOU? NEVER" in a calligraphic style alongside her signature. This illustration strikes a balance between personal and relatable, enabling viewers to join the artist on her journey of growth and self-acceptance.

These various examples demonstrate visual storytelling’s ability to inspire and communicate profound messages and emotions, breaking through the noise of our everyday. It reminds us that the art of visual storytelling remains an enduring means of connection.

Reference:

History of Visual Communication by Elif Ayiter: URL: https://www.historyofvisualcommunication.com

Amplifi Blog - "4 Principles of Visual Storytelling": URL: https://amplifinp.com/blog/4-principles-visual-storytelling/

HubSpot Blog - "Visual Storytelling Examples": URL: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/visual-storytelling-examples

Faurschou Gallery - "Exorcism of the Last Painting I Ever Made": URL: https://www.faurschou.com/exhibition/exorcism-of-the-last-painting-i-ever-made

"Multimedia Storytelling for Digital Communicators in a Multiplatform World" by Seth Gitner

Stereogum Interview - "Weyes Blood Talks About 'Titanic Rising' Cover": URL: https://www.stereogum.com/2038017/weyes-blood-titanic-rising-interview-underwater-cover/interviews/

Essentials of Visual Communication by Bo Bergstrom