Ney Tait Fraser

Earth Dream.
Sculpture: Wood, ceramic tiles, river stones.
40” x 36” x 42.25”

Milwaukee book artist and book binder Irene Mitkus introduced me to the Bad Water Book Club [southeastern Wisconsin’s book arts interest group]. By joining this group I met Max Yela. Through Max I gained access to the Golda Meir Library’s Special Collections. With his generous assistance I was able to view the library’s remarkable facsimiles of William Blake’s work. Blake has always been meaningful to me because I share his interest in dreams, visions, and the Bible. Max suggested I read Black Elk Speaks, because of its visions and dream sequences. This was insightful because the Native American visionary Black Elk is in many ways similar to William Blake. His ideas concerning the unity of creation were fruitful for me because I believe that the environment is badly damaged and that it is important to mend the web of life before it collapses. The work that came from my readings conveys this visionary sense of unity and harmony.