Over the years, there have been many feature films, television episodes, and documentaries made about the tortured mind of Vincent Van Gogh. The fact he cut off his ear while Paul Gauguin, another artist of acclaim, was visiting affirmed he was mentally ill.
An Immersive Experience
Last week, Robert and I went to the immersive exhibit of Van Gogh that’s in Vancouver and touring the continent. It’s not his actual works. Rather, it’s an overview of his life and art, as shown in the history that the visitor reads before entering a hall to see his works projected on the walls. While images of his paintings appear, symphonic music complements what a visitor is seeing.
We enjoyed the exhibit, but nothing compares to the originals. We were fortunate to have seen many of his paintings over the years in various art galleries in Europe and in the USA, as well as at an exhibition in Winnipeg decades ago.
What I read before entering the hall stayed with me and I teared up as I gazed at his many self-portraits. The intense eyes he painted speak of a troubled mind.
Van Gogh ended up in an insane asylum. Though institutionalized, he continued to paint while being treated. In his letters to his brother Theo, he revealed he was fully aware of his mental condition and grateful for the treatment.
My previous work as a psychotherapist involved treating many troubled souls. It’s difficult seeing people floundering and in pain. There’s still so much we don’t know about mental illness. The struggle of both patients and therapists is what I wrote about in my novel, The Rubber Fence. To be misunderstood, to lose your way, to fight the demons in your mind, Van Gogh experienced all of that.
Sadly, Vincent Van Gogh died young from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was only thirty-seven years old.
Despite The Agony
And yet, despite the agony he experienced in his tortured mind, he was able to express his love of nature on canvas. He left us with beautiful imagery like his Sunflowers, his Irises, and Starry Starry Night.
Of course, I loved the Sunflowers, because that beautiful flower is depicted on the bookcover of my novel, Sunflowers Under Fire.
An Inspiring Gimmick
Some visitors regard this show as a gimmick. At $40 Canadian, it’s a pricey outing for a show that’s over in less than an hour. But this immersive exhibit inspired me. I’ve dabbled with painting, but had put my brushes aside in order to write. Now, I plan to do another oil painting this week. The act of creation, whether it’s words on the paper or paint on a canvas, is soothing for the soul.
Your comments are always welcome.
Thanks for your review of this show! How delightful that you got to attend. I can see where you would appreciate the sunflowers. This show is coming to Houston soon and I would love to see it. A different view of art, and some might count it as a gimmick. We have not been to Houston in two years and don’t know if we will get up there to see it. I am sure our son will want to see it as he loves any kind of different experience. You too look good in your masks! All ok here. Will be starting on “Lilacs in the Dust Bowl” soon. It seems the reviews are good! Congratulations!
Jo, you are such a faithful blog responder. I so appreciate you. :)And thanks for the compliment about us looking good in masks. Funny, huh? We’re both fully vaccinated but we still put on our masks when we enter indoor public places. Better to be cautious than sorry later. Yes, so far the reviews have been good for Lilacs in the Dust Bowl, so I’m pleased. Let me know if you go to the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit.