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Percy Wyndham Lewis, a multifaceted figure in the modernist movement, left an indelible mark on the literary and artistic landscape of the early 20th century. Known for his avant-garde style and critical writings, Lewis shared a complex and occasionally contentious relationship with fellow modernist James Joyce, particularly regarding Joyce’s groundbreaking work, Ulysses.
Wyndham Lewis was a man of many talents—artist, writer, and critic—and was a leading figure in the Vorticist movement, which sought to merge literature and art into a dynamic new form. His magazine, BLAST, published pioneering works of literature and art that reflected the movement’s aesthetic ideals. Although Joyce was not directly affiliated with the Vorticists, he and Lewis moved in the same circles, influencing and being influenced by the same intellectual currents.
Lewis was both an admirer and a critic of Joyce’s work. He recognised the innovative nature of Ulysses, but was also critical of its stream-of-consciousness technique, which he found overly introspective and lacking in structure. He described Joyce’s prose as “the droning of a big bee”, but despite this criticism, Lewis could not deny the significance of Joyce’s contributions to literature.
Their relationship was further complicated by their strong personalities and differing views on art and literature. Lewis’ abrasive style and Joyce’s meticulous attention to detail often led to clashes. Yet, these differences also fueled a productive rivalry that pushed both writers to new creative heights. Lewis’s critiques of Ulysses forced Joyce to defend his work and sharpen his narrative techniques.
The modernist movement was marked by rapid change and fierce debates over the direction of art and literature. Lewis and Joyce, as two of its leading figures, were at the forefront of these discussions. Their exchanges, both personal and through their respective writings, helped shape the trajectory of modernist thought and aesthetics.
We aim to achieve a similar heated debate over the coming years, with all sorts of radical innovations in whiskey making and parallel art projects.
Welcome to the journey.
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