Wilson Harris: an ontological promiscuity
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Date
2018-08-06
DOI
Authors
Chude-Sokei, Louis
Version
Published version
OA Version
Citation
Louis Chude-Sokei. 2018. ""Wilson Harris: An Ontological Promiscuity."." ASAP/J.
Abstract
[Excerpt] "I’ve always thought that the problem with the literary and cultural politics of the Anglophone world was that we’ve never had an actual, formal surrealist movement. Yes, there are writers and thinkers in the English-speaking world that are verifiably surreal (though not members of the official movement) and many that are described as surrealist, for example the writer who is the focus of this essay, the recently deceased Guyanese novelist, critic, and visionary, Wilson Harris, who passed away in March of this year. And yes, the impact of the Surrealist International was global. As I will discuss, it had a significant impact in the Caribbean, which is partly what justifies discussing Wilson Harris in this context. Though seen as a minor or cult figure, or an example of “art brut,” I’d like to help make clear his standing in a richer tradition of thinking and writing than previously acknowledged. I’d like to also suggest ways that his legacy can and should make a difference."
Description
License
Attribution 4.0 International