The article discusses how artists didn’t let their illnesses stop them from creating. Despite facing tough physical or mental challenges, they used art as a way to cope and express themselves.
For example, Vincent Van Gogh struggled with mental health issues, but still painted some of his best-known works, like Starry Night, while in a mental hospital. The article notes, “his most outstanding works were written during his stay in a mental hospital” (Kyiv Gallery, 2023). Similarly, Yayoi Kusama, who has lived with obsessive thoughts and mental health problems, continues to create art from a clinic, showing that “mental trauma” didn’t stop her from working (Kyiv Gallery, 2023).
Artists with physical challenges also found ways to keep going. Edgar Degas, who had vision problems, switched to pastels and gouache but kept creating. The article explains that “the artist created most of his works, barely distinguishing small details on the canvas” (Kyiv Gallery, 2023). Frida Kahlo, after a car accident that left her in pain for life, used her art to process her suffering (Kyiv Gallery, 2023).
Overall, the article shows that despite their struggles, these artists didn’t give up on their creativity. Instead, they found strength through their art, proving that illness couldn’t take away their passion.
Kyiv Gallery. (2023, November 20). Creativity despite the disease: Which artists managed to achieve success despite the disease. Online art gallery of paintings and sculptures KyivGallery. https://kyiv.gallery/en/articles/creativity-despite-the-disease-which-artists-managed-to-achieve-success-despite-the-disease
OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (Sept 15 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat
