alchymista:

Self Portraits of a Declining Brain

William Utermohlen is latest artist to be honored at the GV Art Gallery in London, with an event that has an emotional purpose that is near and dear to the hearts of many. Utermohlen spent the last twelve years of his life battling Alzheimer’s, a degenerative neurological disease that slowly took away his ability to do what he was most passionate about: his art.

At the event, his widow spoke to the many supporters, saying “He died in 2007, but really he was dead long before that. Bill died in 2000, when the disease meant he was no longer able to draw.”

This exhibit is known as William Utermohlen: Artistic decline through Alzheimer’s, as it explores the relationship between Utermohlen’s artwork and the progression and struggle with the disease.

Looking at his pieces as his disease progressed, a clear change is visible. As he slowly lost control over his movements, his composition and techniques changed as he was forced to abandon oils for easier-to-use watercolours and pencils. One thing that did not change throughout time, however, was the sheer mastery and vision displayed by has passion for the content of his pieces. 

His paintings display a rarely seen insight into a mind effected by Alzheimer’s, as his struggle and frustration are imminent. Also changed by the progression of time and the disease were his subjects. He began to focus on self portraits and looming dark doorways in the backgrounds

His widow commented that, “it was as if he knew he was going to a very dark place and he knew he couldn’t do anything about it. By the end he couldn’t even recognise his own paintings… that was the saddest thing”.

Rarely does one get the opportunity to chronicle their own experience with mental decline. Even more rarely do we get to share and observe that troubled journey.

This art is that tale.

Source: newscientist.com

7617 Notes/ Hide

  1. orangesolarcat reblogged this from viscumalbum and added:
    This is one of my greatest fears.. developing an illness that will not allow me to create art any longer.. .___. As long...
  2. viscumalbum reblogged this from helsinki-syndrome and added:
    The last image is haunting.
  3. helsinki-syndrome reblogged this from eddplant
  4. meant-2-sey-5ever reblogged this from sherlockandjohnbeingheterosexual
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  6. caghain reblogged this from raphaelandthejhowl and added:
    Self Portraits of a Declining Brain William Utermohlen is latest artist to be honored at the GV Art Gallery in London,...
  7. queenofzeegeeks reblogged this from kyangni
  8. kyangni reblogged this from artemariposa
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  10. onememberteaparty reblogged this from refudiates
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  14. whylincuzimyung reblogged this from atmcvhfan
  15. atmcvhfan reblogged this from jtotheizzoe and added:
    its incredible, the ability that the brain has. Then to record one’s own trajectory, gives a great insight of how it an...
  16. the-miggy reblogged this from lostinvunderland
  17. just-a-box-of-rain reblogged this from thewordsofmymindandmyheart
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  24. archejoiyo reblogged this from raissaonmars and added:
    Alzheimer is such a sad and terrible disease. …….. *sigh*
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  27. raissaonmars reblogged this from medium-blast and added:
    This honestly made me cry.
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