Illustrated by the author

Visions of the Drowning Man is the third book of poetry from Glaswegian poet, musician and visual artist, Dee Sunshine. This series of poems reads like the last chimerical oracles of a doomed soul, pawing at the final waves of some foisted ontology. Sunshine submerges the reader in loosely unravelling contrapuntal rhythms and the breathless language that swirls between anguish and release. But the journey down the Dantean whirlpool is not all despair; there is the topography of Blake’s archetypal grandeur to luxuriate in, as well as Baudelaire’s dolorous sensuality. It is the poetic language of asphyxiation. This edition includes 21 spectacular full-page ink drawings.

“His work reminds me of Blake’s proverb about the road of excess leading to the palace of wisdom.”  – D.M. Thomas

“… Dee Sunshine is the poetic equivalent of Hieronymus Bosch (one look at Gardens of Earthly Delight and you will understand).” – Des Dillon

ISBN: 978-1-908011-42-8
Copyright: Dee Sunshine
Language: English
Pages: 140  
Binding: perfect-bound paperback
Interior print: black & white, 21 full page illustrations
Dimensions: 229mm tall × 152mm wide (6 x 9 in)

Published January 10th 2012

£10.99

$17.99

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Dee Sunshine came to poetry at a young age, winning the Lochaber High School poetry competition in 1979. Soon after he liaised with an active London poetry scene and published a couple of chapbooks. Always interested in combing art forms and experimental new styles, he began producing Dada Dance, an alternative arts/ poetry zine that lasted for six years. More formal studies came at the Edinburgh College Of Art, where he specialised in Sculpture.  This led to an Andrew Grant travelling scholarship to India; a John Kinross Scholarship to Florence, Italy; and a brief sojourn at L’Ecole Des Beaux Arts, Le Havre, France, kindling a desire for travel that has become a large part of his life and a telling influence on his work.

He has published two books of poetry, The Bad Seed and Dropping Ecstasy With The Angels, and a novel, Stealing Heaven From The Lips Of God.  He also edited the charity poetry anthology, The Book Of Hopes And Dreams.  Much like his writing, his visual art is comprised of different styles and mediums including ink drawings, charcoal drawings, etchings, pastels, oils, photomontages and mixed media collages. Such work, which could be said to be chagallesque but perhaps crisper in style, has been published in both internet and print magazines as well as various anthologies worldwide.  His art has been used on the covers of books by Rupert Loydell, Janet Buck, Kay Green, Clarinda Harriss, as well as his own books.