A four colour reduction Linoleum cut
Print size 20cm x 33cm
Paper : Japanese Kenoku
I was 15 years old when I went with my art college to see our first
contemporary art exhibition at a provincial gallery. There was a half
hour to wait on the return and we were invited to wander through the
rather gloomy Victorian exhibition rooms. In the corner was a very small
print that on a closer look sent shivers down my spine. It was of God,
the architect (Ancient of Days) measuring time with a large white compass
: it was by William Blake.
The print was a “relief” etching, hand coloured. I knew
William Blake as a children’s poet and writer of our national
hymn “Jerusalem”. I did not know he was a printmaker.
Since that day he has been an inspiration and I hold him in high esteem.
In my print tribute I have symbolically put him on a high semi-classical
column.
On the floor lying around him are fallen idols including the commedia
dell arte who often lead me down the paths to nowhere. In the background
are peacock feathers watching and guarding the gates to our paradise.
William wears, of course, his famous cap of Liberty.