Visitor caption: I remember reading the 1966 Observer article and feel much more sceptical about the assumptions (about what his art work reveals about Louis Wain’s state of mind), having seen the exhibition at Brent Museum.

In the second half of the twentieth century, studies in the work of the mentally ill had started to explore the idea that art could help patients communicate their inner world in relation to their outer world to therapists. This had been greatly influenced by the theories of Sigmund Freud and Karl Jung, both pioneers in the exploration of the conscious and subconscious. At this time, Louis Wain’s art was widely described as ‘psychotic’ and believed to provide a literal insight into the breakdown of the artist’s schizophrenic mind. The current exhibition of his work at Brent Museum explores this interpretation as a product of its time, and aims instead to encourage a more celebratory response to the artist’s work, focusing on the creative mind of the artist and highlighting the soothing and supporting ability of art.

Why not come to the exhibition to see the 1966 Observer newspaper clipping referred to by this visitor, and decide for yourself whether you agree with the interpretation of Louis Wain’s work in the 1960’s or not?

Image: Kaleidoscope Cats 6: Cat Pattern on Blue by Louis Wain. On loan from the Bethlem Art and History Collections Trust.

Posted by Briony