The Relationship Between Artistic Genius and Mental Illness
The relationship between artistic genius and what we call mental illness can be complex and subtle.
We have, in our culture, certain images, certain stereotypes of the unstable artist. The most obvious is probably Van Gogh, who cut off his own ear, suffered from terrible episodes where he would ramble and act without apparent control or sense, and eventually took his own life. He is now recognised as one of the greatest painters in the Western Canon, and his work is loved by many.
But what precisely is the relationship between artistic genius and madness?
Part of this relationship must certainly lie in the nature of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder (once called manic depression) can see a person swing from grandiose highs to crushing lows. During those highs, it is not uncommon for the person with the mental health issue to become effusively creative. They may create – paint or write or play or mould – at a prodigious rate and devilish intensity. An example here: Nina Simone. Richly gifted with a voice and technique and musical vision, her mood could shift suddenly, and she probably suffered some form of bipolar disorder.
Another part of the relationship between genius and madness seems to lie in the breadth and width of emotional intensity experienced by people with mental health issues. So, to use the bipolar example again, people with this condition may experience a wider and more intense “palette” of human emotions than someone who may be happy and emotionally stable. They simply have to create in order to express what they feel. Indeed, some great art can develop out of emotional catharsis. This catharsis may develop out of mood disorders other than bipolar. Indeed, it has been observed that sometimes a mild form of depression may enhance creativity. People with depression or anxiety may need to communicate what they feel. Another example: the expressionistic painter Edward Munch, who created impulsive paintings of eroticism and neuroticism that seemed to spill forth from his mind and soul.
A third possible relationship: art as therapeutic practice. Many people who suffer from some form of mental distress can find soothing release in creative pursuits. This form of release does not guarantee the quality of what is created – after all, what form of mental illness can guarantee quality of production? But a focus on expressing what one experiences as a means to deal with unpleasant experiences has produced some great artistic work. One more example: Franz Kafka, an author who would walk the streets of his home town, building himself up into a frenzy and then committing his dreams and nightmares to paper.
Finally, we may point to the isolation a person with mental health issues may experience. Although often highly unpleasant, living on the outside of society may offer food for creativity and a perspective of insight. In the words of Bob Dylan (who almost certainly was not and is not experiencing mental illness):
Outsiders they can freely criticize
Tell nothing except who to idolize
And then say God bless him
What is the wash-up of this short analysis?
Well, there certainly seems to be complex relationships between uncommon mental states, creativity and the production of artistic output that moves other people. However, does this mean we should not medicate or treat artists because it may reduce the intensity of their experience or quality of their output? Certainly not! Every person has the right to live as stably as possible. Certainly we must respect the decisions and opinions about treatment made by people who experience the full colours of the emotional rainbow; many people experiencing the manic high of bipolar disorder do not wish it to end. But we must be careful that we do not hurt people, or let them hurt themselves, out of reveries of the greatness of genius and mental illness.
Dr. Richard Schweizer, Policy Officer at One Door Mental Health richard.schweizer@onedoor.org.au.
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Dr Richard Schweizer