Description
He may have died penniless and unheralded, but today William Blake’s creative mind has inspired songwriters, poets and artists all over the world.
Three massive William Blake fans – acclaimed musician Susheela Raman and guitarist/producer Sam Mills, who have collaborated on an album inspired by Blake, and rapper and theatre artist Testament – join Blake researcher, Camila Oliveira, to talk about just how important this London shopkeeper’s son has become.
Blake himself once said: “The imagination is not a state: it is the human existence itself.” So take a step into the minds of our Blake devotees as they discuss how he has inspired their work and reflect on his enduring influence on contemporary culture.
About the Speakers
Susheela Raman
Susheela Raman is a singer and composer, acclaimed for her melodic and experimental musical works across genres and frontiers. She has released eight albums, including the Mercury shortlisted ‘Salt Rain’. Susheela has performed all over the world and is known for her remarkable voice and stage presence. The Guardian described her as “that rarity: a true innovator”. Recent major recording and live projects have included collaboration with Pakistani Sufi singers and Javanese Gamelan. Her most current project has been the creation of songs based around the poetry of visionary English poet and artist William Blake (1757-1827).
Sam Mills
Sam Mills has been working closely with Susheela for twenty five years, as guitarist. producer and co-composer. He was a founding member of 80’s cult post-punk experimentalists 23 Skidoo and also has a doctorate in Anthropology from the LSE. Apart from his work with Susheela, he has produced several records for Peter Gabriel Real World record and curated and directed projects including ‘Sacred Imaginations’ at the Barbican. He is currently working with Susheela on their William Blake songs.
Testament
Testament is a writer, rapper and world record breaking human beatboxer. His play Black Men Walking was nominated at the UK Theatre Awards and the Writer Guild Awards. Testament’s work includes the celebrated Hip-Hop album Homecut: No Freedom Without Sacrifice and play Blake Remixed. He’s recently presented BBC Radio 4 Pick of the Wick.
About the Chair
Camila Oliveira
Camila Oliveira is Assistant Researcher at the University of Lisbon, Trustee of The Blake Society and Blake Cottage Trust. She holds a PhD in English Literature from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and King’s College London on the translation of William Blake’s Jerusalem: The Emanation of the Giant of Albion to Portuguese and biblical intertextuality. She is currently working on Romanticism and Music Reception and writing the monograph William Blake and Contemporary Music.
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