In Songs of Eminence, we learn that cosmic truth, like artistic intent, is multifaceted.  This book uses William Blake’s 4 levels of spiritual awareness as a lens to understand some of the problematic elements in his work.

In this artist’s book, created in the 200th year after William Blake’s death, two artists have a conversation with him about his poem, “The Little Black Boy.” We suggest some improvements, then learn a thing or two about certitude in a psychedelic encounter with his “friends from eternity.” We understand that reality is bigger than any one individual or culture can perceive or comprehend.

Using letterpress and watercolors in the style of Blake, we first recreate two of his plates, then present our own poems and illustrations, which incorporate imagery found in his works, to push our inquiry further.

Because sense perception alone will not allow us to see the bigger picture, the physical book itself dematerializes. Towards the end, the pages thin into nothingness, helping the reader to grasp that “if the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite.”

Hand watercolored letterpress prints, custom marbled endpapers by Abra Mueller, leather cover. 6”x 8”.

Edition of 28 copies.