From one of the most
articulate occult writers of recent years comes the definitive
book on Rosaleen Norton. In the 1950's Norton was popularly known
in Australia as the "Witch of Kings Cross" - a
colorful, bohemian figure from Sydney's red light district.
"Roie", as she was often called , could be recognized
by her dark flashing eyes, her mysterious arched eyebrows and her
devilish smile, but beyond her exotic appearance there was a lot
more to her than was generally realized.
A Natural trance artists, she experimented with self-hypnosis and as a result of her visionary explorations portrayed a wide range of supernatural beings in her paintings and drawings. However her "pagan" art plunged her into continuous controversy. Widely criticized for allegedly bizarre sexual practices with her lover, Gavin Greenlees, she was regarded very much as a renegade from mainstream society.
It is now clear that Rosaleen Norton was one of this century's finest occult artists, and comparisons can be made between her visionary drawings and those of English trance occultist Austin Osman Spare.
This biography - the first account of her life as a whole - provides a detailed evaluation of both her magical beliefs and her art and includes a fascinating selection of previously unpublished material.