Louis Wain | Art and Schizophrenia

How does health affect art? Here, we explore the story of Louis Wain, a popular illustration who suffered from schizophrenia.

[@kfishwick3]

His work definitely did not "devolve" with the progression of his illness, imo. I mean, those patterns look impossible to draw, to me.

[@neonblack211]

Definitely, they look almost like fractal art people program on computers

[@neonblack211]

The symmetry of the line work and the colors in particular insanely technically proficient

[@_sumina]

ikr, they're just as beautiful

[@neonblack211]

@@_sumina aggreed

[@StephenS-2024]

With a name like Robert Langdon, I'd think you were more a ' DaVinci' guy. 🤔

[@thewaywardpoet]

His presumably "later" pieces were WAY ahead of their time. They're almost psychedelic in nature, which wouldn't appear for another thirty-some-odd years. Extraordinary little documentary here!

[@Diesel257]

There's more than one way to peek through the veils of this reality and the next.

[@TheAsylumCat]

There is a whole school of philosophy around psychedelics and the rigidity of perception.

[@kattykit139]

That’s what I was thinking! It’s like he was drawing from the future

[@iron7952]

right? it instantly reminded me of the mandelbrot set fractical pattern. way ahead of its time.

[@antblake1030]

I think that his later work likely has some influence on the aesthetic of the Grateful Dead.

[@youarenowawarepodcast8896]

Louis Wain was a very interesting case actually. It's highly debated what mental illness he really had, and the famous 'timeline of his works' is actually extremely controversial because we don't actually know the timeline of which his works were made, so we can't clearly say, "This is how his art changed." It's clear his art changed, and it was clear he suffered from something - likely a form of Aspergers or Schizophrenia. I personally believe the latter but it's not concrete. The change in his art with more jagged lines with exaggerated colours and what used to be cat becoming soemthing fully abstract was intense, however, the people that say, "He never was able to capture his old art again... never able to draw a normal cat..." are just trying to make a sad story ten times more tragic, as people always tend to do regarding artists. He had some later works that resembled normal cats, one being one of his alter pieces that honestly really fucking hit different for me, "I am happy because everyone loves me." A picture of a classic Louis Wain cat smiling brightly done with ink and chalk I believe in ~1928. A time where he was already in an instution and clearly still able to capture his old beauty. He's even quoted in saying how some of his later works were really just looking at what hadn't been seen or captured before. His story is sad, but it actually has a not awful ending. The Prime Minister, HG Wells, and many adoring fans find out of what had happened and help get him to a much nicer sanctuary/instituion. This is where he was able to relax, be with cats, and continue to paint. His condition improved in terms of anger and acting out, he was able to paint, and some of his work still got into museums. A nice and relaxing end to a wild journey. I just wanted y'all to know it isn't as tragic as a story as some would liek you to believe, and that people with Schizophrenia aren't just 'gone forever and no return'. He was able to paint, he was able to enjoy things, etc etc. It certainly was likely extremely hard for him as showcased by his changed in attitude and temper, but he did great things and made so amny kids and adults smile with his work throughout the ages.

[@neonblack211]

if the chronology of his art is unknown... then why do people assume that the more psychedelic fractal paintings came AFTER his illness rather than maybe it just being a different style of art he was interested in? The "psychedelic/fractal" pictures are actually extremely technically profficient and coming from someone who has a schizophrenic partner it's hard to imagine even someone who is a professional painter being able to even FINISH a painting while under the influence of psychosis/a schizophrenic episode let alone something with that much line work/symmetry and detail

[@youarenowawarepodcast8896]

@@neonblack211 Because it makes a better story, that's usually why people go for it. Maybe that is the order, because he did say he started to see what cats truly were like but it may not be as clean cut as many believe it as. Who truly knows though

[@Chamomile369]

Thank you for writing this! ❣️

[@RavenFoxx]

I am so glad I came back to this video to see this great comment you've written! As an artist with a form of schizophrenia, I really dislike historians and modern viewers stating that Wain's abstract art is proof of his condition affecting his work. I'm really happy that you mentioned "I am happy because everyone loves me", and I think that painting is better encapsulation of schizophrenia than the more fractal works used as examples. Hopefully I didn't ramble too much here, I just really enjoyed this comment. ^^

[@jennyborgh6512]

I'm paranoid schizophrenic, and let me tell you, it's horrible having it. I have separation anxiety from my mom, so have to bring her with me everywhere i go. Going anywhere is scary cause people assume I'll turn into emily rose or a demon when mom tells like a doctor or the store clerk that I'm schizophrenic. Or people start observing me like they need to know what's in my head. The pandemic has effected the hell out of it, cause the whole 6 feet apart rule, so when spotted next to mom people freak the f out. Watching this video for me isn't that hard to understand the man since i go through stuff like this. Please don't mistake comment this as a insult, just wanted to let y'all know that PLEASE if you meet a schizophrenic in real life just treat us like everyone else, it boosts our confidence. Shows us we are not a toy or a burden to society, it would mean the world to know it's ok. Sorry about the long post, just wanted to give in depth of what schizophrenia is like

[@LeanMeanAsianCuisine]

“Devolved”? Absolutely not that shit is magical

[@msursa]

It's very much like shaman/dreamtime work by indigenous cultures. More energetic/spirit--based. It has that "pulse" that eludes more conventional styles.

[@gordonyork6638]

Yes it is. I like "Acid Cat" much more than "Cooking in the kitchen Cat"

[@9WEAVER9]

with respect to the framework of modern theoretical mechanics, magic may appear quite relatively devolved

[@AmberyTear]

"Devolved" in this case refers to the way his perception of reality devolved and thus his representation of it devolved. In psychiatric sense. Not in artistic sense. It's not clear in the video but I know what's up only because I studied psychology.

[@robokill387]

@@AmberyTear only it's not true, the "timeline" you get taught about in regards to Wain is made up, since he didn't date his work. In fact, it's been shown that some of the conventional cat drawings were painted late in his life, after the abstract ones.

[@alexcherroni3274]

I feel genuinely sad for the steady decline of Louis’s life. I really hope he had some peace when he left this earth.

[@notgreatgale]

he did!! he was supported by his fellow artists and got the help he needed in the last years of his life, fortunately...

[@doomguy3539]

He died in a good mental facility for the time that was next to a cat sanctuary were he could do paintings and HG wells wrote to him so yeah

[@krow1551]

Me too.

[@Agamemnon2]

Considering some of the horrors of early 20th century mental health care, Wain was fortunate to get what is by all accounts a fairly peaceful old age.

[@barney10240]

You should see his last drawing after he got out from the institution. "I'm happy because everybody love me"

[@nabilamisilushafirila4130]

His works range from cute cat society to dope patterns

[@bemotivated8443]

Some of his later paintings look like they would be cool album covers

[@amrsamyesmail]

@@bemotivated8443 exactly

[@xtensioncord8775]

idk why this is recommended but thanks bae

[@user-oe8pf4vf6r]

Shut up

[@dreasmom2789]

@@user-oe8pf4vf6r I don't understand? Why should they shut up?

[@user-oe8pf4vf6r]

@@dreasmom2789 cuz they’re annoying

[@pictusfish]

@@dreasmom2789 he's just a shitty troll

[@eduardsusai559]

@@pictusfish he doin a little trollin

[@bigbawlz69]

As an artist with mental illness myself, I feel like his art became so much more tragically beautiful as it changed. It's like the real patterns of his mind seeping out through his fingers, the shape of cats still lingering through the paintings. It's fascinating how the brain works.

[@cascottage]

beautifully said

[@JamietheEmperor]

agreed

[@oceanegarcia4417]

The KZbin algorithm really waited 2 years to recommend this huh

[@tayzatun6351]

was about to comment that, replacing 2 with 3.

[@itsMe_TheHerpes]

hello😁 how are you today ? 😁

[@stkarmi]

didnt expect to cry to this video but here we are

[@catoticneutral]

*2 and a half years oh jeez 2018 was two and a half years ago

[@DunksonDunks]

And what about it

[@juliegellert1364]

As someone with degrees in psychology and mental health counseling, I completely understand that statement that Wain's art "devolved" in consort with his mental illness. Yes, his schizophrenic art is the most cool and interesting, but the de-evolution refers not to the quality of his art, but rather how it represented his worsening mental health. When I took Intro. to Psychology, our textbook had a montage of four Wain pieces, each image moving further from reality and representing the break from reality that he must have experienced as part of his mental illness. Years later, I began to collect Wain's art, and though I love his early works and have many vintage prints, I am passionate about his later works and many of these grace every room in my home. One piece I have is particularly telling: it shows a terrified cat in a chair, being comforted by a Freud-like therapist. More than any other Wain print I know of, this one expresses the pain he experienced in the throes of mental illness.

[@mybraineatseverything7404]

How cool! I also have a psych degree. In my studies, Wain was never mentioned. I just found out about him today, in fact! How did I miss him?! Great explanation, by the way.

[@Pete0oz]

Finally someone said it:)

[@Pete0oz]

@John DeCampi I doubt

[@rosiebud7922]

I thought the same as you! Though i don't have any degree, i have a sibling that developed schizophrenia and the way they see patterns has changed. They use the same colors in the same way, he was always the kind of person who paints based on what feels right and not on what looks right, but now he creates or sees abstract patterns where they aren't. It's actually really interesting to see him go out of the lines that delimit a drawing because he sees a hidden pattern in between the lines.

[@samuraijackoff5354]

@John DeCampi They are locked up in 2 types of way. Physically and mentally. Schizophrenics get better now with our modern techniques and medication. Though years ago we did not know much of the mentally ill. But one that is certain is that they are locked mentally, unable to think like most people in reality

[@amymhchan1584]

As a schizophrenic I am very glad for him and his story and his artwork. It's hard to explain to people what we go through. I think his artworks of abstract cats that he drew during his mental illness are mesmerising.

[@QuidProQuo999]

@Snake Yeah. they usally slowly gain it rather then being born with it.

[@nateKitsura]

@Snake lockdown made my schizophrenia get worse, but i had it for a very long time and it slowly worsened

[@amymhchan1584]

@Snake Hi snake. Yes ppl who have schizophrenia know when something is wrong. It's like all of a sudden their mind is under attack and there are very bad feelings with that. Scientifically it originates from a base traumatic experience which is sexual, violence and death and it is aggravated by others. It grows in them and all of a sudden their under attack, pain and mental ambiguity like it can't take anymore and it collapses. Alot of the time, by the time we get sick, we have found a different reality on the inside to escape to. I personally think it's a full blown spiritual attack. Neglect, abuse etc. When we are ill, we do know when things are wrong and when things are right but we are over powered with anguish, anxiety and other bad feelings that it is so scary, that we contemplate suicide. The little world to escape to is our saving grace but we are in real pain when we are not well or not medicated properly. Most often seeing visions and hallucinations, hearing voices are the norm. Therefore we experience the world differently. Lots of interesting things can come from this, but also evil traumatic things can aggravate us. I can see why Louis' artwork changed. Because often it is very difficult to translate into words, art or any other way, realities that are realler than this, or an extension of ourselves that we, enmass, forgot about.

[@nateKitsura]

@@user-gw3pg9qc1j i have like more hearing hallucinations, but sometimes I've seen shadows etc, my schizophrenia is more like delusions and crisis, rage, euphoria etc

[@dreasmom2789]

A close friend has schizophrenia. Before covid-19 for many years we would go to a place called The Hope Center. Its 4 people with different types of mental illness. They have kinds of services. One of the group meetings they have each week was for the schizophrenic's. I'm diagnosed bipolar but would be asked if I wanted to sit in on their groups. Skitzofrenix are amazing people. I want to say majority that I know are very intelligent. At least in the group they can laugh at themselves and each other. I extremely dislike the fact that in many TV shows and movies they portray people with schizophrenia to be violent. Of course I googled this and the results I saw is people with schizophrenia have only 1% chance of more of being more violent then quote-unquote normal people. That's not even a drop in the bucket.

[@mrttripz3236]

Underrated video.

[@jccurran9327]

This is a great documentary. Thanks so very much for sharing this with us very grateful Wain loving devotees.

[@neonblack211]

I find it hard to believe it was purely psychosis/schizophrenia that influenced him to draw those more outlandish/psychedelic/fractal works, sure, mental illness may have played a part but they are way too technically proficient to be purely a result of mental illness, in my opinion. I find it much more likely he was just experimenting with different styles

[@LyntzbartzkyPerez]

Don’t underestimate schizophrenia, it drives you literally insane, you lose yourself

[@neonblack211]

@@LyntzbartzkyPerez I would know my partner has it and has been hospitalized more time than I can count on one hand

[@karlunderwood1144]

Neon Black I have bipolar 1 I've been psychotic and have hallucinated I have to agree100%

[@LyntzbartzkyPerez]

@@karlunderwood1144 thats one of the most treatable mental illnesses in the world. I suggest seeking help

[@karlunderwood1144]

Lyntzbartzky I am treated for it I'm not a moron

[@myheartisinjapan3184]

Very interesting. My sister is schizophrenic. I always was amazed and very intrigued by her artwork growing up. She drew a lot. This must be therapeutic for people suffering this disease. I can tell you from experience, it is a very sad disease.

[@HashiraHatake]

As being schizophrenic and after watching this film and also “a beautiful mind “ with Russell Crowe it’s inspired me even more to continue my passion in art and literature and life

[@ATRElDES]

as someone who read warrior cats a lot when younger, i'm glad i found out about him

[@bemotivated8443]

I loved those books

[@raine0000]

I was super into warriors too. Those were some of the only books I've found myself totally immersed in

[@thepeanutgallery6100]

One of the greats in my opinion. Also his struggles with depression and anxiety and love of animals is so relatable.

[@tamaracoba]

The fractal cat art looks like he’s tripping on DMT. Maybe he was being experimented on at the institution. It happens a lot, even today.

[@kungfooman]

Interesting suggestion, to me it also looks like DMT artwork, just like this e.g.: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqCmc6mXn5mYick

[@rattyeely]

:( sadly that could be possible

[@teleportingpotatoe]

omg

[@brianao.316]

Tbh your body naturally produces it by not in any way enough to get you high. I wonder if schizophrenia makes you produce more? But I'm most likely wrong

[@tamaracoba]

@@brianao.316 Yes our body does naturally produce it but definitely not enough to be seeing such images. No schizophrenia doesn’t cause that type of vision. In fact “seeing things” isn’t even common in schizophrenia, and is quite rare. Auditory hallucinations are more common. You seem to want to dismiss my idea that he was probably experimented on. You clearly have no clue about what goes on in institutionalised “care” facilities. My twin who has severe autism was forced out of the family home at age ten for no other reason than having an intellectual disability. The Australian government is responsible for doing this to hundreds of thousands of people in the eighties under the guise of giving them special needs care, and education. She, along with thousands of others were systematically abused in every sense of the word, and used as guinea pigs to be tested on pharmaceutical drugs before being put on the market. A lot of these drugs were anti-psychotics and other tripping inducing chemical cocktails such as LSD and DMT. The reason why these people were used is because a lot of them didn’t have a voice, (my sister is non-verbal) due to their condition and circumstance. Parents were threatened to be charged with failure to comply, and imprisoned, if they didn’t hand over their child or children. My parents had six other children to raise, so they couldn’t afford to fight the corrupt system. My sister sustained thirty years of institutionalised abuse, and has now got mental illness (Bi polar and PTSD as a result). I fought bureaucracy to be rev-United with her, for two decades. I was denied access, visiting rights and to speak to her on the phone, because they didn’t want to be exposed for the evils that they were perpetrating. I finally won the fight, am now living with her, and have managed to turn her life around, but she still suffers a lot of nightmares and typical Bi polar and ptsd symptoms. This has been a world wide systemic issue. I appreciate that you did say you may be wrong, so please don’t think I’m trying to call you out, or be nasty. I’m just passionate about injustice and to me this particular artist looks very much like he’s been experimented on. It’s even possible he wasn’t even schizophrenic, just put out in the media that he was, to hide what they were doing to him. He may have been very valuable to be experimented on because he was a fine artist, and that’s all.

[@binkyfishy]

doug rattman, the character from portal that suffers from schizophrenia, loves cats. it's was a nod to this man

[@aniquinstark4347]

His painting "I am happy because everyone loves me" means a great deal to me. I've had a print of it in my bathroom for years as a reminder that I'm not garbage.

[@DuneDemon8]

I am probably wrong but maybe he made his work so complex and time consuming because he didn't have anything else to do while in the institution. So he might just be bored. I once was in hospital waiting for an operation and I didn't have anything in my room, no TV, no radio, no computer, no internet. I was so crazy bored and I had only pen and paper I actually did a drawing of a fish that was quite "madala like" like his cats.

[@howdyEB]

I just commented the same thing. I've been in an institution. it's really boring and I can see him wanting to spend more time on detail. I don't think it has anything to do with his illness. The illness doesn't do that to you or those things, but being bored sure does.

[@desireesmith862]

Aw, wish I could see.

[@berryquiet6497]

Stumbled upon this randomly, but it's a great doc. I appreciated how you took time to explain schizophrenia. It's already a difficult disease to cover, but it's always much harder for the victims of it (both those with the illness, of course, and friends and family who are hurt by the erratic outbursts). Thank you for humanizing not only the artist behing art, but those struggling through any mental illness

[@inchworm20]

Nice profile pic

[@berryquiet6497]

@@inchworm20 thanks, I like yours 😎

[@NaneelQueenOfDarknes]

How did i not know this mans work before this... thank you vary much for the introduction to him and his history.

[@MrPGC137]

I remember seeing his work featured in a Time-Life book on the human mind, as an example of schizophrenic art & how the change in his art coincided with the progression of his illness.

[@fizz436]

@@MrPGC137 Look up TempleOS. Another man with schizophrenia made an entire operating system dedicated to God and believed he could talk to Jesus through it.

[@MrPGC137]

@@fizz436 Well, that's...nice, but it has nothing to do with art.

[@fizz436]

@@MrPGC137 No, but it's another man who's entire life and thought process was changed because of his illness.

[@MrPGC137]

@@fizz436 But...it's still not art though, right? And it's not about Louis Wain either...right? So...what's the connection? Or are you just bringing it up just to talk about it? I'm just trying to understand, 'cuz if we're going to bring up irrelevant topics that have nothing to do with the subject, I can always talk about the piece of lint I found in my navel this morning, or the different methods I use to rearrange my sock-drawer. Those would have about as much relevance as talking about some obscure computer-programmer... Sheesh...

[@bigtub1101]

I read someone's interpretation of his later works with the fractals was Wain's version of stimming. A way to occupy the mind by drawing a fractal with an intricate design would take the mind away from the effects of his schizophrenia. I never really thought about stimming in that way, but as I've thought about it I can see that it totally makes sense. I am neurodivergent as well, so shout out to my homie Louis Wain.

[@patch5674]

this is a good video but, to be completely honest, as both an artist and someone who struggles with mental illness I think the idea that mental illness "enhances" our work is really harmful. Van Gough created his most famous work while he was in recovery, not when he was at his worse. I know people really like the romanticized idea of the tortured artist, but the reality is that in most cases severe mental illness leaves you too exhausted to even try to be creative. Mentally ill artists aren't made creative by their illness, they're made creative by people caring about them and helping them recover.

[@rattyeely]

Seconded

[@AmberyTear]

Personally, the only time in my life I was insanely creative was when I was in terrible mental state. Now that I'm healthy, it's all gone. But I wouldn't popularize the idea that you gotta be depressed or whatever to be creative. Obviously, just because there is some correlation doesn't mean you can't be creative AND healthy.

[@eggyeox1792]

My uncle also had schizophrenia and was an incredible artist, his use of colour and his ideas were so unique, I miss him loads 💔

[@real-mars-art]

I have epilepsy and I am an artist. It GREATLY influences my work and helps me view my condition differently. There is so much that comes with epilepsy besides just seizures (for me personally), I get these beautiful and scary sensations that I can only express through my work. It feels like I'm living in a different place of existence then everyone else. It also works as a way to raise awareness for epilepsy because it is not spoken too much about besides negativley.

[@theunwantedcritic]

I don’t think it’s mental state has anything to do with his artwork. The laster work resembles Indian or Tibetan mandalas. This is remarkably complex work

[@GhostAids]

I do think so as well, he drew straight up fractals

[@QuidProQuo999]

@@GhostAids Yeah that shit looks amazing as fuck

[@slightlyamusedblackkidfrom9153]

@Dorian yeah it looks just like if I took shrooms or cid

[@LetsGoGetThem]

Guy just became more experimental with time like the rest of the scene at the time. Nobody says the same about picasso and his move on into the mroe abstract. This is more an urban myth than anything

[@r_s2611]

many people think picasso was schizophrenic because of his abstract work. however he had severe depression which you can also experience psychotic episodes in so mental illness could've very well played into his art just like this guy

[@patrickmcdaniel8123]

Picasso was a con artist in my opinion. As is all so-called modern art.

[@Savannah-qj2mc]

He literally had schizophrenia

[@MultiMadgeek]

The OG furry art commissioner

[@neonblack211]

I love his psychedelic paintings!

[@RavenFoxx]

I wanna say I first watched this video nearly a whole year ago, and it makes me so happy to see more people checking out one of my favourite artists and inspirations! As a young artist living with a form of this disease (schizoaffective disorder), Wain's work helps me realize that people like me can create and be prolific. I do disagree with the assumption that his art became more abstract and "better" because of schizophrenia, however, I may be biased due to my own experiences. During psychotic episodes, I am typically so preoccupied with voices and delusions that I cannot focus at all on my art, and I end up creating nothing for days. Of course, everyone's experiences are different, and I have no right to force mine onto others. Anyway, I'm just glad that so many more people are getting this in their recommended sections, as it gives such a cool artist the modern exposure he deserves.

[@bluepterosaur]

Furry schizophrenia

[@IllIlllI]

Never heard of him before, can’t say much about his timeline but his stuff is incredible, his later works look like they capture the essence of surrealism. His early work was illustrations and realistic things, he had made an emotional connection with a cat because of his wife dying. Drawing cats mixed with, what I assume to be his struggle to relate to mankind, his cats turning human the more he understands his self. “X” happens, he turns more erratic, his drawings look like his state of mind is that of a child. It changes even more rapidly and he ends up in therapy. Again I have to assume “x” could be multiple things, him being lonely, not understood, undervalued by people contracting him, pressured by his family maybe even drug abuse? (Slight hints of childhood trauma due to his humanized animals, although they could have their origin in his wife’s death) There’s different ways to envision a picture, for him it must have been: - he painted what he saw in his early years - 3rd wall break, a reflection of a self conscious being looking at us through the painting, the caricature - and the last one, 4th dimension break, the artist looking at himself trough the painting Can we also mention he’s probably one of the first cat pic posters?!

[@markparkinson6947]

I absolutely adore that painting of the cats at the beginning.

[@enoch4499]

I am closer to 30 years old now, had schizophrenia since age 4 (childhood schizophrenia is very rare). 9 years later developed bipolar from trauma. Thus turning the diagnosis into schizoaffective disorder. I tried more than 20 meds in different doses and combos and been abused by many doctors. It became apparent I am treatment resistant. I never had any real education or support with my illness so I am so grateful I have kept it together as well as I have. Some days I'm fine, other days (for weeks or months) I am definately not ok. It has started taking a toll on my heart but as long as I'm alive, I will keep going and take the best care of myself as I can. Art is medicine for the mentally ill and since turning 20, the depressive symptoms seem to have blocked my creative flow. I have rare spurts when manic but overall, I feel like part of me is missing. Without art, I dont feel like myself. I will get that back soon! I live to create and I have been trapped for long enough. Anyone reading, thank you and if you also struggle, as long as you live, there is hope for change. You got this!

[@elverchavez5776]

"We have no tradition of shamanism. We have no tradition of journeying into these mental worlds. We are terrified of madness. We fear it because the Western mind is a house of cards, and the people who built that house of cards know that, and they are terrified of madness."- Terence Mckenna

[@NightTimeDay]

Haha, funny how his statement no longer holds up. I'm thinking mainstream stuff like Joe Rogan talking DMT, shows like The Midnight Gospel, internet communities. Endless conversations about psychedelics, dreams, mental health. He definitely shaped the world, it's a very different one than it used to be :)

[@kaymakesthings]

@@NightTimeDay It still holds up. Just because it's found a foothold in some niche corners of the internet doesn't mean the perception has flipped. It's actively changing, and minds are opening up to other possibilities, but just look at the law. In most of the world, entheogens are just as taboo as they were-- we're just talking about it now. I still regularly butt heads with people who are terrified of marijuana and have the sensationalized psychotic break stories about 'bad trips' woven into the fabric of their mind. McKenna's words still ring true.

[@NightTimeDay]

@@kaymakesthings Yeah my point was that the culture is changing. I think we agree. What I meant no longer holds up is "we have no tradition of shamanism". In his day there was nothing akin to a culture that values journeying to other worlds. For us we have a tradition like this now, running back to the 60s. I assume you were thinking I meant that people are no longer afraid of madness, but of course they are. Edit: I see your channel is about art and discussions of mental health, so it's cool you care about it. I'm in psych myself :)

[@felipepalmacastro]

I like Mckenna. Thanks for the quote.

[@basedandchristpilled]

@@kaymakesthings the JRE fandom isn’t much of a “niche corner” lol it’s a huge community consisting of many npcs who use the internet Drug use has become a whole lot more common but I agree that the “western world” is terrified of going mad. They enjoy the brief experience of being mad with psychedelics but real mental illness is the only true way to go mad. I would say things such as psychosis, which I’ve been experiencing these past two years, are very close to madness.

[@isabellablu1240]

It's nice to hear a story about an artist who was appreciated and successful while they were alive. Very intriguing video essay!

[@inspirationmovemebrightly9627]

His “later” (?) works are like Mandelbrot sets. Incredible, beautiful fractals. Amazing.

[@Anreii]

I don't think "devolved" is appropriate at all... That shit's subjectively as good. Those patterns are insane

[@katzenthewanderingfox5132]

The title and thumbnail got my interest, and the content got my attention. It's awesome. Thanks.

[@colinthereptileguy]

This needs more views. Great video, I leaned a lot.

[@acidicali7776]

I was really worried this video would be disturbing, but your tone really helped put me at ease. Louis Wain’s story was more somber than disturbing imo

[@xiao668]

Thank you for making this video!

[@bumblebeeznutz9506]

This is a great upload.. So weird it became a suggestion as our stray kitten was being so noisy, that my Mother had to call me (as we don't live together) so little Bootsie Collins Davenport could hear my voice, and settle. Also, mental illness, schizophrenia being one of them, is common in my family. Just so random, yet I feel it was needed to watch currently. Great upload. I liked, and subscribed. Thank you.

[@joannewalker4232]

Excellent video, what a gem! Thank you! x

[@MyMessyMind]

Lmao you really went through the whole royalty free catalogue for this one video 😂

[@danielc7773]

Fascinating. This is a very well composed essay.

[@IllIlllI]

Love art and documentary’s, this one is good. I’m staying subscribed if there’s more

[@clray123]

FWIW, my mom knew an old lady who admitted to her that she was schizophrenic. A few times she brought her artwork to be framed. When the lady died, a piece she called an autoportrait remained in our possession. The drawing, full of crazy patterns and colors, looks uncannily like what you can see in this video. You have to focus hard to make out the face buried in all the detail, very intricate and somehow the whole composition makes a "friendly" impression (maybe because the cup of tea the portrayed lady is holding also has eyes and a smile...). So I suspect, yes, there's something specific to schizophrenia which changes the perception and art style in this particular manner.

[@Piemesan]

This was a lovely video essay. Thank you for your work.

[@roachfacesrs5270]

This is a really cool story. And not just because I like cats, I love art as well, and learning about different effects of psychological illnesses. This man was very talented, I tip my non-existent hat to him.

[@midnightcat6116]

Wow! Thank you for this! Never heard of him and his work until now

[@fraundakelmbrilpondaprost90]

This is a very informative and empathetic biography. Phenomenally done.

[@jaytakajeremiahtisdale2042]

Even as a person who doesn’t really like his art style his art of cats is just too adorable! I might consider buying a framed picture of one of them to hang on the wall in my living room!

[@ThePortjumper]

Great work! I hope things go well for your channel.

[@Aramanth]

There is the theory that the more arabesque paintings were meant to be textile patterns. Whatever the case, some of the cats do look alarmed and have spiked fur. Louis Wain is an underrated talent that needs to be brought to the public eye again. Great documentary! 😻

[@0-by-1_Publishing_LLC]

As an artist I see his later works as being far more interesting and conversational. Apparently schizophrenia can unlock levels of artistic talent that would never have emerged had they not suffered from this condition.

[@0-by-1_Publishing_LLC]

@Nyoter Pant Daniel Tammet is a genius level mathematician. His heightened ability for doing amazing mathematical calculations is attributed to epileptic seizures he suffered as a child. www.aruma.com.au/about-us/blog/the-astonishing-mind-of-daniel-tammet/ You are free to express your opinion, but the fact remains that certain events that happen within the brain (traumatic or disease-related) can result in positive or negative conditions. Another fact is that Louis Wain's art increased in composition, complexity, and intellectuality concurrent with his ongoing schizophrenia. Had he not suffered from schizophrenia, he most likely would have continued to paint his easily-recognizable, yet endearing cats. These later works would never have existed. ...It is what it is.

[@0-by-1_Publishing_LLC]

@Nyoter Pant Again, you are free to express your personal opinion. I'm siding with science on this one. Obviously there is no changing your mind on this issue. Continuing our discussion would be a waste of both of our time. Thank you for your follow-up comments. All the best to you.

[@kathy4180]

Who’s here after seeing the film The Electrical life of Louis Wan? I was in seventh heaven watching it - it was quite sublime given the world as it is today.

[@asoftbelly]

The way you used the stock music for this video is kinda wild and I'm really entertained. Really cool video about a cat boy 🥲, thank you for your work!

[@swarmsea]

Thank you for making this video, I didn't know about this artist!

[@danielac2285]

This is very profound! Thank you! Keep up the great work🤗

[@joedouglas808]

The trippy artwork is awesome too...

[@lexidiusBS]

It's intetesting to see how his art looks more and more like a DMT trip later on.

[@InverseLine]

Could it be that back then experimental medication was just that?

[@quistan2]

His style changed, but does not express decaying mental state. The later drawings are highly ordered, and fractal in nature. I draw very strait forward art, along side very chaotic surrealistic art, and yet neither style are a complete picture of what is going on inside, or necessarily a reflection of it.

[@alegnalowe3679]

I love the paisley kitties.how unique and beautiful.the complexity of the texture keeps it original.

[@Manofthewoods.]

This was a phenomenal video! Please make more like this

[@xincuran]

ty bestie wasnt planning to spend 10 minutes watching a youtube vid but this was really immersive

[@whippingcrram]

The title: Louis Wain The caption: Lewis Wayne. Uhm, what-

[@emalinu]

This is a really good and informative video, i just wish this had more views!

[@c3ru1ean41]

wonderful little documentary.

[@msursa]

It's very similar to shamanistic/dreamtime work of various indigenous cultures. Not madness, but an energetic path away from derivative convention. Work that truly captures the subject's "pulse"...

[@Time_to_Stop_Animal_Abuse]

"When a man loves cats, I am his friend and comrade, without further introduction." - Mark Twain Hope Mr Wain is w/his kitties.

[@fayheady]

Incredibly beautiful work

[@phil1pd]

I was always fascinated by Louis Wain. Its heartbreaking to see his innocent-like optimism displayed in his artwork slowly turn into paranoid distrust and sadness.

[@monicairving3092]

Great video ! I learnt so many things it's great

[@pachliolite7986]

It's so interesting I hope you make more videos like these!

[@matthewferguson7084]

This guy was good, never heard of him till now..fantastic

[@jordynfaro2895]

why do his patterns look like lsd visuals?? that’s insane to me

[@gordonyork6638]

Why would it be insane?

[@heathergittens3223]

His cats personified people.😻

[@NuparthChaudhry]

Great work👍🏻

[@SheWritesSeaofStars]

This is super interesting and well done!

[@xylatoph2300]

great music choice and a very interesting story

[@cielrobinson]

i also only draw cats and have done a lot of psychadelics- looking at his art is incredible. his style is like mine if i was actually a good artist. i can feel his paintings in a really special way

[@jinglejazz7537]

I saw the movie, The electrial life of Louis Wain, with Cumberbach, what an amazing story, an amazing man. check it out, on prime.

[@strayCATchillspot]

so interesting...thank you from Toronto..

[@xBE4STCLAN]

The correlation between schizophrenia and pyschodelic will keep me up at night for a long time.

[@Ivan_1791]

I'm so glad I found this video.

[@GuyIncognito233]

I like the psychedelic style. His story reminds me of Syd Barrett too

[@koda2002]

This is great, v much enjoyed this video

[@NickVenters-ku1gt]

After watching the Amazon Prime movie, ive been fascinated by Louis. Makes me tear up.

[@WonderfulWorldofAwesomeness]

People were often diagnosed as schizophrenic back in the very early days of psychotherapy and mental health diagnosis. My grandmother was diagnosed as schizophrenic, when it was likely she actually suffered from a form of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The blanket diagnosis of “schizophrenia” seems to have been given to almost everyone for a period of time

[@justjill.8965]

it is actually highly debated weather or not he suffered from Schizophrenia it is known however that he did suffer from some sort of clinical depression and anxiety. and Schizophrenia didn't seem to have affected his art style permanently either (if he even had it) as one of his last artworks was actually quite similar to his original art style, a cat with a cute little smile, and below it, the text "I am happy, because everyone loves me" which goes against the idea that he suffered from Schizophrenia, as a thing we have to consider when talking about it, is that Schizophrenia is actually a mixture between Psychosis and Schizoid disorder a Schizoid person normally seems a lot like a person with clinical depression, being highly unmotivated and normally unhappy or simply unable to feel certain emotions. that's why it is Schizophrenia, it's a disorder that causes one thing, and another at the same time, though one doesn't counter the other. Louis Wain probably didn't have Schizophrenia actually, so much so that even if this is one of the most accepted theories, it still is highly debated weather it is true or not. with that being said, I like to imagine that he actually just let his imagination flow more while under treatment, causing his art to become this "clusterfuck" of color, flower shapes, and of course, cats

[@Harufloof]

Obviously experienced major psychedelic breakthroughs. His art resembles the psychedelic visions

[@AllTheOthers]

I can really relate to this guy.

[@jonathanstepic8352]

Idk how i got here but this is awesome. Good job

[@janetelainedeloach6501]

He had amazing talent. U cant help but love his interesting aspects of cats. I love the bright green eyed cat......Doing a movie on it with Benedict Cumberbatch. Should be an amazing movie....m

[@starquant]

Very well done, the comments below are an interesting read as well.

[@karenharris7498]

Very interesting. I have mild schizophrenia but can only do anything worthwhile when I am in recovery. I have also seen someone on the spectrum create some fantastic artwork.

[@rameyzamora1018]

So extraordinarily reminiscent of fractal designs! Connections intrigue...

[@Nietzsche_K_Gote]

Agreed

[@juanpabloabondanosantos5473]

GREAT WORK!