Description
Nelson Ball was a poet, publisher, and bookseller, the author of several dozen poetry collections during his lifetime. His partner of over four decades, Barbara Caruso, was a visual artist, publisher, and poet who never published a full book of poems. Bloom / Until comprises Caruso's first book, bringing together nearly all the linear poems she wrote, and Ball's final collection of new poems, gathering work from the last few years of his life, including his unfinished long poem "Palliative Care," about Barbara's final months. Two artists who largely flew under the radar as they shared a life devoted to their respective arts now share a book. Each collection is introduced by friend and editor Stuart Ross.
About the authors
Nelson Ball is a poet and bookseller living in Paris, Ontario, who has been writing since the early 1960s. He has worked as a labourer, chauffeur, clerk, seasonal forest ranger, record store clerk, and janitor. From 1965 to 1973 he ran the legendary Weed/Flower Press, publishing mimeo editions of early books by Victor Coleman, Carol Bergé, David McFadden, bill bissett, bpNichol, and many others. Nelson is the author of more than 30 poetry books and chapbooks. He and his late wife, the artist Barbara Caruso, are the subject of Catherine Stevenson's 2014 documentary film Nelson Ball & Barbara Caruso / Home Project / A Photo Documentary.
Barbara Caruso (1937-2009) was a visual artist and writer. Known for her abstracts exploring colour and space, she had over twenty solo shows and participated in many group shows, in Canada and internationally. Though her micropress Seripress she published the works of visual poets. Barbara was the author of the autobiographical A Painter's Journey, in two volumes, and the essay collection Wording the Silent Art. Nelson and Barbara lived together in Toronto, then in Paris, Ontario, for 44 years.
