The term psychedelics is used to describe psychoactive substances that distort mood and perception by affecting numerous cognitive processes. Generally, they are non-addictive and are considered physiologically safe. The term was coined in 1957 by the psychiatrist Humphrey Osmond and has been a common colloquialism for more than sixty years. However, it was and remained… Continue reading
Author: lisalorraineh
Interview with Irish Artist, Fiona Gillespie
Fiona Gillespie is a young Irish artist from Cork and a recent graduate from the Limerick School of Art and Design. Her work is a colourful concoction from which emerges monster heads, anthropomorphic creatures, and weird vegetation. The almost ‘kitsch’ style is loud and unapologetic with pure saturated colour reminiscent of psychedelic art. However, the… Continue reading
An Interview with Irish Artist Alan Doyle (& My Thoughts on Outsider Art)
In 2013, the rugby analyst and outsider art enthusiast Brent Pope hosted an RTE documentary on outsider artists in Ireland. I only became aware of this program last year. However, I was very excited to see a TV program celebrating talented and creative Irish individuals outside the mainstream art market. Outsider art (for those who… Continue reading
Ernst Fuchs and Fantastic Realism
While researching visionary art, it becomes clear that ‘visionary art according to fantastic realism,’ saturates online platforms. At first, I considered the work ‘kitsch’ (i.e., ornamental and decorative pieces without true artistic merit) dues to its strong connections with psychedelic art – most of the works would undoubtedly depict a meditating figure surrounded by colorful… Continue reading
The Elaborate Visual Fantasies by Lisette Knutsen
Lisette Knutsen is a Swedish artist who creates obsessively and continuously. Her work is mostly drawings using watercolour paints and black ink on white paper. When you look at one of Knutsen’s drawings, you instantly feel overwhelmed. You are uncertain whether or not you should be horrified, mystified, or grateful that you had the opportunity… Continue reading
An Interview with Artist, Sinead McKillican
Sinead McKillican is a recent graduate from the Limerick School of Art and Design; she was a year below me in the painting department. I remember our regular conversations, which seemed to always get quite deep on the topic of spiritualism, Jung, and personal growth. Her studio space in college was always unique, fitted with… Continue reading
The Visionary Art of Hilma af Klint
I discovered Hilma af Klint during my final year as an undergraduate (Fine Art) student. At first, I was mildly interested. But as I began reading more about her, my interest peaked. I became awestruck by the grand scale of her compositions, the fact that she predates abstract expressionism by almost two decades, and that… Continue reading
Hearing from the Artist Mo Riza
Mo Riza is a New York-based artist who works a professional career during the day. Yet, in the early hours of the morning, he vanishes into his home studio and creates wonderful visionary paintings using cheap household paint and rolls of constructive paper. The visual imagery he creates stems from a fantastic world and depicts… Continue reading
Hans Prinzhorn’s Research on the Characteristics of Configuration
This article discusses a ‘scale’ implied in Hans Prinzhorn’s pioneering text ‘Artistry of the Mentally Ill,’ on the characteristics of pictorial configuration. These characteristics arise from an artist’s inner psychic world instead of the customs and objects in external reality. This research aims to understand the qualities that inspired the forerunners of surrealism and art… Continue reading
Artistry of the Mentally Ill: Psychiatry and Creativity in the Early 20th Century
This article introduces the psychiatrists from the late 19th century and the early 20th century who played a crucial role in shifting the perspective that a patient’s art was only significant as a diagnostic tool to an eventual appreciation of artistic achievement and merit. This video emphasizes Hans Prinzhorn’s text Artistry of the Mentally Ill… Continue reading