Helen Ivory's latest collection showcases her dual talents as a poet and visual artist. It features a unique blend of collage poems alongside a sequence of previously unpublished works, reflecting her innovative approach to poetry. As an editor of the webzine "Ink Sweat and Tears" and an educator in creative writing, Ivory brings a wealth of experience to her craft, making this collection a significant addition to contemporary poetry.
Taking its title from an 18th-century anatomical wax sculpture of an idealised woman, Ivory's fifth collection examines how women have been portrayed as `other'; as witches; as hysterics with wandering wombs; and as beautiful corpses cast in wax, or on mortuary slabs in TV box sets.
Helen Ivory's work invites readers into a unique universe where the mundane intertwines with the magical. Set against a backdrop reminiscent of Joseph Cornell's artistry, the narrative explores the enchantment found in everyday life and the unexpected moments that create tension and wonder. The blend of ordinary and extraordinary elements crafts a rich, imaginative experience that captivates and surprises.
The dream-like, myth-inspired poems of Helen Ivory's fourth collection from Bloodaxe portray the part-remembered, part-imagined childhood of the girl who grows up to be a woman living in Bluebeard's house.
Helen Ivory is a popular poet on the readings circuit in Britain. The Breakfast Machine is her third collection from Bloodaxe.