6/02/2022
Name : Leigh Hay
Location : Melbourne
Title : The Hidden Self
Review : Through poetry and art, The Hidden Self explores the human longing to be seen and valued as a human being. Bee Williamson and Naomi Downie expose their inner selves – unburdened and uninhibited – through words and images that speak in terms of exploring their own identities. There is an ethereal quality to this book. Through their own creative expression, the authors are gently inviting readers to seek their own inner selves through visions, dreams, hopes and above all, acceptance.

16/01/2011
Name : Anonymous
Location : Week(s)
Title :
Review : This collection stands powerfully among your contemporaries, particularly in the immense variety you command in theme, structure, tone and imagery. I question “Terra Nullius”, since geological evidence shows that Aborigines turned rainforests into deserts through burning, and hunted many large mammals to extinction. (So like any other race they did leave a legacy of destruction, just not as quickly.) Geography aside, I like your use of contrasts in that poem. Probably my favourite of your poems are “My Soul Inhabits the Earth” and “Tea Poem”. They are beautifully crafted, like flowers unfolding, with many layers of interpretation and a sense of keen balance. Among your pictures, I particularly love “Exaltation”, “Lovers” (inspired by Picasso – you do him proud!), “Sophia” and “Bella”. Of Naomi’s poems, my favourite is “The Silent Work”. I find the second part of it, especially the last lines, particularly enchanting. It’s perhaps no surprise to you that I find her pictures “Tree Spirit”, “Tree Woman Dreaming”, “Bird Song” and, especially, “Green Man and Lady of Blossoms”, really magical too :-) Reflecting on the publication as a whole, I like how you both weave words with visual imagery, which make the book highly enjoyable to read. Another point that impressed me is how you’ve each supported each other’s vision, not just in sharing space, but reaching into each other’s pages on occasion, with little illustrative tendrils, all of which rendered the book cohesive and organic. I also love the selected quotations. Thank you for your creativity and courage, Louisa

15/01/2011
Name : Anonymous
Location : Day(s)
Title :
Review : Yesterday I read your wonderful book “The Hidden Self”, which we purchased online a few days ago. Bee, I hadn’t realised until checking into facebook a few days later that you’ve been unwell, so have been in contact with your Mum and am glad to hear you’re recovering. This collection stands powerfully among your contemporaries, particularly in the immense variety you command in theme, structure, tone and imagery. I question “Terra Nullius”, since geological evidence shows that Aborigines turned rainforests into deserts through burning, and hunted many large mammals to extinction. (So like any other race they did leave a legacy of destruction, just not as quickly.) Geography aside, I like your use of contrasts in that poem. Probably my favourite of your poems are “My Soul Inhabits the Earth” and “Tea Poem”. They are beautifully crafted, like flowers unfolding, with many layers of interpretation and a sense of keen balance. Among your pictures, I particularly love “Exaltation”, “Lovers” (inspired by Picasso – you do him proud!), “Sophia” and “Bella”. Of Naomi’s poems, my favourite is “The Silent Work”. I find the second part of it, especially the last lines, particularly enchanting. It’s perhaps no surprise to you that I find her pictures “Tree Spirit”, “Tree Woman Dreaming”, “Bird Song” and, especially, “Green Man and Lady of Blossoms”, really magical too :-) Reflecting on the publication as a whole, I like how you both weave words with visual imagery, which make the book highly enjoyable to read. Another point that impressed me is how you’ve each supported each other’s vision, not just in sharing space, but reaching into each other’s pages on occasion, with little illustrative tendrils, all of which rendered the book cohesive and organic. I also love the selected quotations. Thank you for your creativity and courage, Louisa