Sonámbulo is a unique artist book, which includes the poem Romance Sonámbulo written by Federico García Lorca, and nine original drawings by Manuel Neri. The poem was written between 1921 and 1927 and first published in Primer Romancero Gitano by Revista de Occidente, Madrid, in 1928. The English translation, Sleepwalking Ballad, is by Christopher Maurer.
The drawings, oil-paint stick, charcoal, and graphite on paper, are studies that were made in 1987 by Manuel Neri for a series of drawings and sculptures titled Isla Negra. These drawings were selected by Manuel Neri to accompany the poem for this book. The Introduction was written in English by Mary Julia Klimenko and translated into Spanish by Jaime Moreno Villarreal. The calligraphy of the text and page designs were created and executed by Thomas Ingmire on Rives BFK White paper in the Fall of 2007.
The binding structure and leather binding for the book were designed by Daniel E. Kelm and produced by Daniel E. Klem, Kylin Lee and other mechanics at the Wide Awake Garage in Easthampton, Massachusetts. The book is bound in goatskin leather, with gold foil stamping. The book is housed in a Japanese paper-covered box produced by Foolscap Press in Santa Cruz, California. The uniquely painted designs, calligraphy, and collage elements on the cover of the box are by Thomas Ingmire.
