The mystery of madness through art and Mad Studies

Abstract

In this Current Issues article I explore how the world of art can show a different view on ‘madness’. Mad Studies, as an emergent academic field, has the possibility to offer alternative and contrasting views on madness. I argue that the current bio-medical model where ‘madness’ is reduced to ‘mental illness’ denies us the possibility to hear different views and see a person behind a diagnosis. The art world, through visual representation, can present us with an ‘unknown’ factor of ‘madness’ where madness remains a mystery that we will never truly grasp. Visual art can also depict the real human beings and real stories behind ‘diagnoses’.

Keywords:

• Art
• madness
• Mad Studies
• mental illness
• mystery
• mental health diagnoses

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 Tree Roots by Van Gogh can be seen online: https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/tree-roots/WQGYd-7iPjW88g?hl=en-GB&ms=%7B%22x%22%3A0.5%2C%22y%22%3A0.5%2C%22z%22%3A9.295089552092103%2C%22size%22%3A%7B%22width%22%3A1.2548849463499612%2C%22height%22%3A1.2374999999999996%7D%7D. Accessed on 23.03.19.

2 The Starry Night by Van Gogh can be seen online: https://www.google.com/search?q=van+gogh+the+starry+night&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjex_PbvdzgAhUjonEKHTYED08Q_AUIDigB&biw=1366&bih=657#imgrc=qqSZWcdvoaRUNM. Accessed on 23.03.19.

3 The Temptation of Saint Anthony by Grunewald can be seen online: https://www.google.com/search?q=grunewald+The+Temptation+of+St.+Anthony%E2%80%99&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjhsqC5vtzgAhX_URUIHcDCBK8Q_AUIDigB&biw=1366&bih=657#imgrc=-MgxfknQcPzxmM. Accessed on 23.03.19.

4 The Scream by Munch can be seen online: https://www.google.com/search?q=the+scream+munch&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=-4j9OW6FXR40KM%253A%252C1iewB9Kj8MJFQM%252C%252Fm%252F01f3_n&usg=AI4_-kT3BPhjBX8ABsHPwWL7PtDJB7QaPQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi4mIiOwNzgAhXOVBUIHc3_A3QQ_B0wHHoECAMQEQ#imgrc=-4j9OW6FXR40KM. Accessed on 23.03.19.

5 See the website of Kim Noble: http://www.kimnobleartist.com/). Accessed on 23.03.19.