This piece (published by Francesco Conz, Verona, No. PVC0267; Code 0295E) by Emmett Williams is a visual play on Gertrude Stein's famous phrase "A rose is a rose is a rose," transformed through concrete poetry. The text is arranged vertically in bold, multicolored letters, creating a rhythmic repetition that evolves slightly in each line: “ROSE IS A ROSE IS AROSE IS ARISEN.” Each line’s change emphasizes variations in meaning as words morph visually and semantically. The colors add a playful, childlike tone, drawing attention to each word individually. Through simple shifts, Williams explores identity, repetition, and transformation, both visually and linguistically. The artwork is a fusion of poetry and visual art, highlighting the artist’s interest in language as a dynamic, mutable medium.

Sitography: ARCHIVIO BONOTTO, "Reflections on Gertrude Stein's 100th Birthday (1974)", www.fondazionebonotto.org
www.fondazionebonotto.org/it/collection/poetry/williamsemmett/2075.html

EDIZIONI CONZ, "Emmett Williams, Reflections on Gertrude Stein's 100th birthday", www.edizioniconz.com
www.edizioniconz.com/editions/artworks/reflections-on-gertrude-steins-100th-birthday/