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Episode 7: Austin Osman Spare Part III

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Description

In our previous episode, Austin Osman Spare had just left Aleister Crowley’s magical order Argentum Astrum.

Spare then met a Mrs Shaw in a local pub who introduced him to her daughter Eily. They soon married and moved into a nice apartment together.

Spare continued to draw in his fantastical and grotesque style, contributing to several publications in the mean time. Spare also published his own book, The Book of Pleasure, which outlines key aspects of his own religion, notably the concepts of Kia and Zos.

Spare is then forced to join the army for the First World War. When he returns from Blackpool, his marriage to Eily had fallen apart due to irreconcilable differences.

Now a bachelor, Spare was slowly descending into poverty and obscurity. He retreated further and further into himself, proudly eschewing fame and fortune.

Photos

  • “Psychic Portrait”, 1930. Part of Spare’s Siderealism portraits.
  • “Head of a Woman”, 1930. Part of Spare’s Siderealism portraits.
  • “Joan Crawford”, 1930. Part of Spare’s Siderealism portraits.
  • Surrealist Cards by Austin Osman Spare. Photo taken from
  • “Self re-Hitler”, circa 1955
  • “Adventures in Limbo”, 1944-1945
  • “Adventures in Limbo”, 1944-1945
  • “Redundancy Isle”, 1947
  • “Priestess and her God”, 1947
  • “Dreamscape”, 1947
  • “Lambeth Liz”, 1949
  • “Self Portrait”, 1955

Sources