Bryan Charnley, Art & Adversity

by James Charnley

Bryan Charnley: Art and Adversity combines biography and monograph. The painter's life defined his art, his art defined his life. James Charnley was witness to the adversities experienced by his twin and the evolution of his art. His book surveys the artist's childhood, adolescence and the madness that was to afflict his life and found consummate expression in the paintings. Augmented by interviews, journals, medical records, letters and diaries this book provides an informed and fascinating study of a turbulent life and the art this inspired. Bryan Charnley was a gifted artist who applied his painterly skills to describe the invisible: mental anguish is largely internalised. The works he created use metaphorical imagery to describe existential dilemmas. It was by such devices the artist intended to restore painting to its inceptive purpose and conviction. Bryan Charnley: Art and Adversity presents his paintings with all their colour, intensity and eloquence.s.

223 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 31, 2018

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across Bryan Charnley's work from a website set up by his twin brother, James to honor his talent and his memory (https://www.bryancharnley.info). I was looking for artists with mental health struggles after being impressed with artwork displayed at the Dr. Guislan Museum in Belgium. I was impressed with Bryan's efforts to depict in his work his experience of mental illness. He was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and shared many of those symptoms, but his brother was not sure his diagnosis was entirely correct. I liked what I saw so much, I purchased this book to see more of his work and get more information about Bryan's life.

This book has a full biography of Bryan, as well as James's feelings about both Bryan and his work. Sadly, Bryan committed suicide when the pain of his life and his illness became too much for him, but he left a significant legacy behind. I enjoyed reading the book, although it was a little long in some places, because I felt like I went on the journey with James to discover so much more about who his brother was. I think works like this are so important to help those who don't struggle with these mental health issues to be able to empathize with those who do. The artwork is impressive and I greatly benefited from James's interpretations to help me with some of the symbology.