The tortured artist and “good” art (Trigger warning: There are discussions of suicide and mental illnesses, if that isn’t something for you then it’s fine to skip).
Strongly agree. I think it also has to do with the fetishisation of mental illnesses, which hurts people who are experiencing these challenges. Painting mental illness as a 'superpower' ignores the real struggles that people face when they are mentally ill. People focus on just the 'artist' aspect of 'tortured artist'. It's as though, by default, we don't expect mentally ill people to be able to fit into society. And the eccentricities they inevitably display are woven into a form of pleasure for others. Society needs to improve in its understanding of mental health and its approach to mentally ill people in general. If anything, art should be a leveller, teaching us that anyone (regardless of their personal struggles) can create beauty.
I generally have these concerns for myself. My favourite poems are usually written in pain. When I don't have such feelings, I don't usually have the urge to write them.
Actually, even as I have gotten worse this year, I haven't written anything of note in the poetry department. I'm not sure why. I don't "feel it". Probably an indication of how bad it is at this point.
If it helps you feel better, my favourite art involves pain. Don't be deceived, I may write about how we should examine how we look at pain and art. That doesn't mean I am "fine". We all have out "things". Hoping, you begin to feel better soon.
This is a remarkable piece
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed reading
Strongly agree. I think it also has to do with the fetishisation of mental illnesses, which hurts people who are experiencing these challenges. Painting mental illness as a 'superpower' ignores the real struggles that people face when they are mentally ill. People focus on just the 'artist' aspect of 'tortured artist'. It's as though, by default, we don't expect mentally ill people to be able to fit into society. And the eccentricities they inevitably display are woven into a form of pleasure for others. Society needs to improve in its understanding of mental health and its approach to mentally ill people in general. If anything, art should be a leveller, teaching us that anyone (regardless of their personal struggles) can create beauty.
I generally have these concerns for myself. My favourite poems are usually written in pain. When I don't have such feelings, I don't usually have the urge to write them.
Actually, even as I have gotten worse this year, I haven't written anything of note in the poetry department. I'm not sure why. I don't "feel it". Probably an indication of how bad it is at this point.
If it helps you feel better, my favourite art involves pain. Don't be deceived, I may write about how we should examine how we look at pain and art. That doesn't mean I am "fine". We all have out "things". Hoping, you begin to feel better soon.