Every artist's work encompasses sequence, order, and change, all of which have the potential to be expressed in ways that reflect on the observer positively and negatively. Through the artwork of Bryan Charnley, a schizophrenic, we will explore how an artist comprises the challenges and problems of his life into his artistic endeavors. It was not required for the painter to depict his schizophrenia in his works; nevertheless, he decided to undertake so and began by reducing his medication dosage. The speech he made in March 1991 to his twin brother provides some background on this decision. "Big things people can't ignore. I need to make a statement. I will go to the end of the road. Until now, I was making paintings about my schizophrenia, but always while I was on medication. So what's the idea to show people the truth? I roll up my sleeves for the naked truth."
Following each painting, Charnley, who commenced a series of self-portraits, recorded the amount of medication he consumed and the significance of the symbols he painted. There are a total of 17 self-portraits in this series, centered on multiple components and dosages of medications; each one depicts a different stage of schizophrenia.
Figure 1: First self-portrait- Bryan Charnley
Since Charnley was not yet fully mentally unwell when creating this piece, which is the first draw in the self-portrait series, we cannot identify anything odd about it.
Figure 2: Second Self Portrait- Bryan Charnley
This artwork, which is the second self-portrait, depicts Charnley gradually coming off his medication and developing hallucinations. The visualization of Charnley's complicated ideas appears as the tangles of threads hanging from the portrait's back, while the image of the sounds inside his mind is represented by the left ear, which resembles a rabbit's ear.
Figure 3: Third and Fourth Self Portrait- Bryan Charnley
Bryan's mental breakdown and lack of attention worsen as the work goes on.
Figure 4: Seventh Self-Portrait- Bryan Charnley
Bryan addresses his unfortunate inability to communicate with people and the social anxiety that comes with having schizophrenia in this seventh portrait which is also one of his most well-known pieces.
Figure 5: Seventeenth Self-Portrait – Bryan Charnley
The seventeenth portrait is Bryan's final artwork before taking his own life. The prominent colors in this portrait deviating slightly from Bryan's previous drawing style are red and yellow, which the painter employs to represent the nerve. Bryan's ennui is evident in the painting's harsh brushstrokes and the lack of the portrait structure.
Bryan Charnley's "Self Portraits" is now considered the most noteworthy collection of work that examines the lunacy of a schizophrenic artist. We commemorate this devoted and creative painter with respect and longing.
References
Henry Boxer Outsider Art Gallery. (2019, February 28). Bryan Charnley. Henry Boxer Gallery - Outsider Art. https://www.outsiderart.co.uk/artists/bryan-charnley
Portal. (2024, January 12). Bir Şizofrenin Son Günleri [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-1c_wyG5o0