We had an extraordinary visit to this amazing collection of Blake’s engravings, owned by the NSW Art Gallery, but only put on display very rarely. They depict Blake’s unique interpretation of the timeless story. It is an interpretation that brings Job’s predicament very much into the 21st Century. It was our task to try to enter the questions that Blake poses about the nature and purpose of human existence through his dramatic, radical re-interpretation of this ancient biblical text. Most wonderful is the way that he transforms the word-bound adherent of formal religion in the first plate into the leader of a group of musicians in the last plate. Here Job empowers himself and is family to open their hearts and minds to a different order of spiritual experience. Gone are the books, now the spirit is embodied in this vision of harmony with the cosmos.
And all who came had an enriching experience complete with lunch under the cascading fruit bats in the botanical gardens. Thank you all for making this such a memorable morning.
MG
Michael Griffith's Official Literature Site
Michael Griffith: Home Page- Literature and Life Summer 2023 