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"Led to Believe," depicted here, is one of ten optical screenprints from a portfolio by Anuszkiewicz that he titled "Inward Eye." Anuszkiewicz created the "Inward Eye" portfolio in 1970 after a friend told him that his work reminded him of the 18th century poet and artist William Blake. Anuszkiewicz felt a connection to Blake, a man whose sentiments mirrored his own, possessing a scientific approach while still conveying feelings. With names like "Burning Bright," "Divine Body," and "Sun’s Light," the pieces from Anuszkiewicz’s "Inward Eye" portfolio challenge viewers to gaze upon them to “hold infinity in the palm of your hand,” in the words of Blake. Each of the ten serigraphs in "Inward Eye" contain two excerpts from Blake’s writings. Anuszkiewicz selected texts that support Blake’s core belief that human beings achieve divinity when released from their limitations.
The text by Blake that accompanied "Led to Believe":
"We are led to believe a lie
When we see not through the eye"
Considered technical masterworks in the optical art world, the ten works created for the "Inward Eye" series create a brilliant visual sensory experience.